A running back who briefly captivated the hearts of Detroit Lions fans is retiring — and his farewell message has gone viral.
Bo Scarbrough, who had a speedy ascent and even faster fall with the Lions in 2019, announced on March 9 that he was retiring from professional football at the age of 29. After leaving the NFL, Scarbrough had two standout seasons with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions before announcing last weekend that his football career was over.
Bo Scarbrough: ‘The Game Can’t Love You Back’
Scarbrough attended a press conference with the Stallions to announce his retirement, including a poignant comment on the sport’s often brutal realities.
“You can adore this game as much as you want. But, at the end of the day, the game cannot love you back because it isn’t a person; it’s a ball,” Scarbrough told the UFL. “I have a lot of respect for the people who are still playing. And you’ll know when it’s your time.
Scarbrough’s line gained viral traction, with many people reposting it on social media.
As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire pointed out, Scarbrough briefly became a “rock star” in Detroit during the 2019 season.
“Scarbrough joined the Lions in the 2019 season and was an instant hit,” Risdon said in a statement. “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.”
However, Scarbrough shortly left the Lions, as Risdon noted. He began the 2020 season on the injured reserve list and was waived soon after being activated in the middle of the season.
Bo Scarbrough Ending Accomplished Career
Scarbrough, 29, first rose to prominence at Alabama, when he rushed for 1,512 yards and 20 touchdowns over three seasons while sharing totes with Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, and then Najee Harris. During his tenure, the Crimson Tide won the national championship two times: in 2015 and 2017.
Scarbrough played for six different NFL teams during his four years in the league, but had little influence outside of his six-game stint with the Lions. The following season, he played one game with the Seattle Seahawks, carrying six times for 31 yards.
He joined the Stallions in the middle of the 2022 season and quickly became the team’s starting running back. Scarbrough appeared in six games, totaling 84 carries for 352 yards and a touchdown while guiding the team to a league championship. Scarbrough returned in 2023, but was placed on injured reserve following the season’s opening.
Daryl Johnston, UFL Head of Football Operations, congratulated Scarbrough on his retirement announcement.
“We were blessed to have Bo as a part of our football family, he is a champion on and off the field,” stated Johnston. “He is an excellent ambassador of both his town and the state of Alabama. We wish him all the best in retirement and know he will be successful.
