Some players in professional sports refuse to retire from their respective sports regardless of how they're performing, but Kyle Long of the Chicago Bears knew it was time for him to hang it up. Nearly a month after announcing his retirement from the NFL, Long explained his decision to retire.

Per Cam Ellis in NBC Sports Chicago:

“It became clear to me in practices against Akiem,” Long said. “We used to never dial back. And Akiem is a freakshow, and he was a great guy when we played together. Towards the end of my career, he would dial it back as not to embarrass me in practice.”

In Long's first three seasons in the NFL, he made the Pro Bowl in all three years. As a guard for the Bears, Long would manhandle defensive linemen with ease and could hold his own against Akiem Hicks in practice.

Then, after three remarkable years in the league, Long began to be plagued by injuries. From 2016-19, the Pro Bowl guard would miss 34 games due to a multitude of injuries with the Bears.

After dealing with an extensive recovery process four years in a row, Long knew it was time to call it quits. As sad as it is to see him retire, it's commendable seeing a player put his health as the No. 1 priority.

Of course, it's never easy walking away from the sport that you grew to love as a kid. At the least, Long appears to be content with his decision to retire and will have time to figure out what his interests outside of football are.