Charles Woodson has no regrets after 18 years playing 'dangerous game'

Oakland Raiders safety Charles Woodson recently reflected on his illustrious 18-year career as the nine-time Pro Bowler prepares for his final game.

Woodson announced on Dec. 21 that this would be his final season, and the 39-year-old's last game is Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In a series of essays for ESPN, Woodson articulated his thoughts as he prepares to hang up his cleats, including on whether he's considered what years of physical football could mean for his future health.

My body has taken a lot of punishment over the years, so of course there's no question you think about the concussion issue. You don't have much choice but to think about it because of all the attention it gets now, what's happened to some of our former players, and the lawsuits that are going on. But at the same time that goes back to the question of regret. Being scared of the future, does that make you regret the past? I don't. I love this game. This game has had a hand in almost everything I've been able to do in my life. I had a great deal of fun playing it. I know it's a dangerous game - it was a dangerous game before we learned about the potential consequences of concussions. I don't go into retirement being scared of what could happen down the road. I just look at it as, honestly, what's done is done. I played the game 18 years and I've just got to continue to live. What's going to happen down the road, if anything, is going to happen.

Woodson also said his decision to retire wasn't easy, and he certainly has doubts.

When I announced last week that I was retiring, just saying the words was hard. When I spoke to general manager Reggie McKenzie, owner Mark Davis and coach Jack Del Rio, it was difficult. I broke down when I talked to Del Rio. It was hard to even get the words out to actually say, "Coach, this is going to be my last year." Because the truth is that there's still a reluctance. I mean, just because you know it's time doesn't mean you really want to walk away. Any player would love to play as long as he could, but at some point you just know it's not going to happen.