Sports / NFL 23-Year-Old Leaves NFL Over Concussions AJ Tarpley is walking away to preserve his health By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted Apr 7, 2016 2:35 PM CDT Copied In this Jan. 3, 2016, file photo, Buffalo Bills linebacker AJ Tarpley (59) makes an interception on the final drive against the New York Jets to clinch a 22-17 Buffalo victory in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File) A 23-year-old is walking away from the NFL because of concussions. AJ Tarpley, a second-year linebacker on the Buffalo Bills, announced on Instagram Wednesday that he's had four concussions, two of them suffered last season, and has decided "after months of introspection" and research to retire from the sport in order "to preserve my future health." He called it the most difficult decision he's ever had to make, the Buffalo News reports. (More NFL stories.) Report an error