Richmond’s Ben Griffiths opens up on shock AFL retirement to pursue NFL career

FORMER Richmond forward Ben Griffiths was a shock retirement in January, but he says a series of concussions was not a key factor in the decision.

Ben Griffiths was plagued by a series of concussions. Picture: AAP

FORMER Richmond forward Ben Griffiths has spoken about his shock retirement from the AFL as he ramps up training before moving to the US on a college football scholarship.

After a career plagued by concussions, Griffiths quit the Tigers in January, despite having been contracted for 2018.

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The 26-year-old said his decision to quit football had not been based around the concussion problems but an opportunity to study that was too good to pass up.

“I was only talking to mum a little while ago saying I haven’t had a migraine in over a year now,” Griffiths said yesterday.

“The concussion side of stuff wasn’t really a factor in the decision in the end because I was cleared to play at the end of last year and came back and finished off the year. I think for mum it was probably a bit more settling knowing I wasn’t getting hit anymore but for me it was more just the appeal of getting the university degree.

“I was fortunate enough that we found some underlying symptoms that were very fixable and we worked really hard and it was very frustrating but I was able to recover and in the end I was able to come back to football which is what I wanted to do.”

Ben Griffiths says the opportunity to study to too good to refuse. Picture: Michael Klein

Griffiths is currently training in Melbourne before he moves to the University of Southern California later this year to begin his four-year scholarship with an eventual eye on an NFL punting career.

However, he said there was part of him that missed life at Punt Rd as Richmond continues to excel after claiming last year’s premiership.

“I certainly miss the team environment and at the moment because I’m just training all the time it’s hard not being able to go out there on a weekend and actually compete for something,” he said.

“So I struggle a little bit with that, dealing with not seeing all the boys and my close mates every day like I used to. That’s certainly one of the harsh realities of leaving the system.

“I certainly believe they can do it again (win the premiership). I just know the connection and love they’ve got for each other down there and it goes a long way. The only thing that will hold them back is injuries.”

Griffiths retired with 63 AFL games to his name.

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