Editor's note: This story is a part of a series by USA TODAY Sports called Project: June. We will publish at least one NFL-themed story every day throughout the month because fans know the league truly never sleeps.
There was a player who retired from the NFL recently, and he isn’t one of those blockbuster names you’ll know. He is still important and he’s important because he’s a reminder of the cruel reality of the sport so many of us love.
Terron Armstead played 12 seasons in the NFL, most recently for the Miami Dolphins. Armstead was only 33 years old when he retired. In many “normal” jobs, you’re just getting started at 33. Not the NFL.
Armstead recently appeared on the “Nightcap” show and said his career is at the point where he could only play in games if he used painkilling medication. Then he described something stunning. He originally injured his knee in 2015, but it never fully healed.
Meaning, he's been playing with significant knee pain as an NFL player for about a decade.
