why did sterling sharpe retire

Sterling Sharpe retired from the NFL at age 29 due to a serious neck injury. Near the end of the 1994 season, medical evaluations revealed that he had a neck abnormality involving looseness in the upper two vertebrae, caused by stinger injuries from hits during the season. He underwent surgery on his cervical vertebrae, which left him vulnerable to further injuries and significantly limited his neck mobility, making it unsafe and unfeasible for him to continue playing football. Despite being at the peak of his career, with multiple 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowl honors, the severity of the injury forced his early retirement to avoid the risk of paralysis or worse. The Green Bay Packers released him due to the medical risks and uncertainty about his future availability.