After experiencing the worst concussion of his career, Sydney Swans player Ted Richards says retirement was on his mind.
The 33-year-old has been off for three weeks after suffering a concussion during the Swans' match against Hawthorn in May.
While no stranger to the head injury, this was the first time the fullback had any symptoms, something that "rattled" the player.
"I was just sitting at home by myself stewing on these things, with nothing to do but just think about everything," he told RSN Radio on Wednesday.
"For a while there I did entertain the thought (of retirement).
"I've heard stories of players where symptoms last for months.
"I know if that was to be the situation, with the age that I am, I possibly may have played my last game."
Richards hasn't hung up his boots just yet, with the player back in training and looking to play in Sunday's match against Melbourne.
"I'm definitely playing this week so fingers crossed I'm straight back in this week."
He will wear a helmet until the end of the season.
It's been a demoralising start of the season for Richards, who struggled with a calf injury in the pre-season and fractured an eye socket early in the 2016 campaign.
His previous bout of concussion was last July when he was knocked out by Port Adelaide's Jay Schulz in a sling tackle.
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