San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff has announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 27 after six seasons in the league.
Huff announced the decision Thursday, saying he plans to launch a company focused on preventing fires in lithium ion batteries.
The company, called Naberstone, aims to develop technology and infrastructure to tackle fires caused by modern battery systems.
In his announcement, Huff explained the motivation behind his decision to retire from football.
“It’s time for the next chapter of my life. I’m building a company called Naberstone. Lithium-ion batteries power the modern world, but they pose a fire risk that current suppression technology was never designed to solve. We’re building a safety infrastructure specifically for that problem. Proprietary suppression systems, advanced detection technology and containment built for lithium-ion battery events,” he said.
“This mission will save lives and protect critical infrastructure as battery technology continues to expand. I can’t ask the people who believe in this mission to go all in if I’m not willing to do the same. Football has given me everything and now it’s time for me to give everything to something new,” he added.
Huff said injuries and time away from the field caused him to reconsider his future.
“All this made me realize something. Football has been my whole life. I’ve been playing since I was four years old, but at the age of 27 I know I am capable of giving the world more than just football.”
