25. Charlie Sanders played ten brilliant seasons for the Detroit Lions from 1968 to 1977. Why did he choose to end his career?
From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Tight Ends
Answer:
Knee injury
Charlie Sanders was a great tight end playing all ten of his seasons as a Detroit Lion. In his rookie season, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl, and he would be chosen another six times throughout the rest of his career. A receiver with reliable hands, Sanders was also a superb run-blocker. In the voting for the 1970 and 1971 All-Pro teams, not only was Sanders chosen, but he had the most votes over all other players.
Sanders, playing in an preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons in 1976, got a knee injury that would end his career in the pros. He switched to radio broadcasting, tried his hand at coaching, and eventually returned to broadcasting. He returned to the Lions as an assistant personnel director and passed away at age 68 from cancer, a tumor found, ironically, in his knee, the same knee that had ended his career.
He had nine kids with his wife, Georgianna, who he married three times; the last time was six days before his passing.