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Former 49ers LB Borland surprised by reaction to lost money

People can't get over the money. That's all they think about. But your health is a little more important.

When linebacker Chris Borland signed a four-year contract on May 27, 2014, he received a fully guaranteed total of $617,436 as his signing bonus from the 49ers.

The only way he would not be able to keep the money was if he retired before fulfilling the four-year commitment. And that’s exactly what Borland did, as he announced his retirement in March – one week after the beginning of the NFL’s free-agent signing period.

As a result, Borland had to return three-quarters of his signing bonus – a total of $463,077 -- to the 49ers.