Tony Scheffler retires from the NFL

Tight end Tony Scheffler, who played for the Detroit Lions from 2010-13, has decided to retire from the NFL, according to the Associated Press. Scheffler's decision stems from the fact that he suffered three concussions during his final four seasons in the NFL, including one last season against the Green Bay Packers. Although he was cleared to return from that concussion, the Lions decided to release him just weeks after the injury happened.

Scheffler, who went to high school in Chelsea, Michigan, and played at Western Michigan in college, entered the NFL in 2006 as a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos. He spent four seasons with the Broncos before they traded him to the Lions in 2010 as part of a three-team trade. The Lions sent Ernie Sims to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the deal.

Scheffler quickly emerged as a weapon in the Lions offense, catching 45 passes for 378 yards and 1 touchdown in 2010. A year later, he only had 26 catches for 347 yards, but he found the end zone 6 times. In 2012, it was back to only 1 touchdown for Scheffler, but he caught 42 passes for 504 yards.

In 2013, Scheffler got off to a rough start even before he suffered another concussion. Drops were an issue, and he only had 7 catches for 82 yards through five games. Following the concussion, the Lions decided to move on, and although Scheffler drew interest from the Chicago Bears, a deal never came to fruition.

Now that he's retired, the AP reports that Scheffler is planning to become a real estate agent and get into coaching as an assistant at his old high school in Chelsea.