A running back who briefly made waves and won over Detroit Lions fans with his word of farewell is retiring, and it’s going viral.
On March 9, Bo Scarbrough, who made a swift ascent and an even swifter exit from the Lions in 2019, declared his retirement from professional football at the age of 29. Scarbrough enjoyed two excellent seasons with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL after leaving the NFL, but he declared this past weekend that his career in football was over.
Bo Scarbrough: “The Love You Can’t Get Back”
At a news conference with the Stallions, Scarbrough declared his retirement while making a moving statement on the often brutal reality of sports.
You are free to adore this game indefinitely. However, since the game is only a ball and not a person, it can’t truly love you back, Scarbrough stated through the UFL. “I’m incredibly respectful of those who continue to play.” You’ll be able to tell when it’s your turn.
Many others shared Scarbrough’s comment on social media, and it became viral.
As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, Scarbrough became a “rock star” in Detroit for a brief stretch of the 2019 season. “Scarbrough joined the Lions in the 2019 season and was an instant hit,” Risdon wrote. “The big back from Alabama rushed for 377 yards in six games in November and December of that year, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his physical style at 235 pounds.” But Scarbrough left the Lions quickly afterward, Risdon noted. He started the 2020 season on the injured reserve list and was waived shortly after being reactivated in the middle of that season. Bo Scarbrough Ending Accomplished Career The 29-year-old Scarbrough first made a name for himself at Alabama, rushing for 1,512 yards and 20 touchdowns over three seasons despite sharing carries with Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, and later Najee Harris. The Crimson Tide won the national champions twice during his tenure, in 2015 and 2017. Scarbrough spent time with six different NFL teams during his four years in the league but had little impact outside of his six-game stretch with the Lions. He appeared in one game for the Seattle Seahawks the following season, taking six carries for 31 yards. He joined the Stallions at the midway point of the 2022 season, quickly becoming the team’s starting running back. Scarbrough ended up appearing in six games, taking 84 carries for 352 yards and a touchdown while leading the team to a league championship. Scarbrough returned in 2023 but was placed on injured reserve after the season opener. In his retirement announcement, Scarbrough earned some love from UFL Head of Football Operations Daryl Johnston. “We were blessed to have Bo as a part of our football family, he is a champion on and off the field,” Johnston said. “He is an outstanding representative of his community and the state of Alabama. We wish him the very best in his retirement and know he will be successful using his passion for the game in the next chapter of his journey.”
