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Chris Samuels of the Washington Redskins - Source: Reuters -
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Washington Redskins tackle Chris Samuels retired on Friday after revealing a potentially devastating spinal condition that he feared could cause paralysis with a whack to the head.
The six-times Pro Bowler said he had lost the feeling in his extremities "three or four" times since entering the NFL in 2000, the final one coming in October against the Carolina Panthers.
"I was born with a neck condition called stenosis," he told a news conference.
"When I get hit a certain way, I lose power in my upper extremities, which is what happened to me last season against Carolina."
The 32-year-old Samuels said a helmet-to-helmet hit with a defensive lineman during the Panthers' 20-17 victory marked the end of the road.
"Right when I hit him, everything went numb up top and I fell over and I knew I had had another episode. I went on the sideline, prayed about it, thought about going back in the game. The Lord led me to sit tight and I did.
"That's pretty much it."
Samuels said he was satisfied he was able to play in the NFL for so long.
"Some doctors predicted I would only play six or seven years in the NFL, but here I am 10 years later having attended six Pro Bowls - God has truly been good to me," he said.
"Mentally, I've been preparing for this a long time so don't you all feel sorry for me."
