Aviva Premiership
Veteran forced to quit after concussion injury
ESPN Staff
February 4, 2014
Andy Hazell - his retirement comes after 17 seasons at Kingsholm
© Getty Images
Enlarge
Gloucester's former England flanker Andy Hazell has been forced to retire after failing to recover from concussion sustained in a pre-season friendly. "For the first time in my career I've listened to my body," he told the BBC. "With the age I am and with my family, I had to listen to what my body was telling me. If I was 25 or 26, I'd 100% be trying to get back onto that pitch no matter what cost." He said he would be looking to offer help with advising players on concussion "because I wouldn't want to see any young lad going through the same thing when maybe they shouldn't be playing. It's a massive issue. Players are getting bigger and faster, and the collisions are getting a lot bigger. I've been managed brilliantly by the club. Hats off to them." Hazell, 35, made seven appearances for England and represented Gloucester for 17 seasons, a Premiership record for the longest time spent at a club. "Looking back, when I was there with England I should have been more confident. But I'll take the seven. I'm happy I managed to play for my country." © ESPN Sports Media Ltd
|
Communication error please reload the page.