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Former Wayzata linebacker A.J. Tarpley retires from football to 'preserve my future health'

Bills rookie linebacker A.J. Tarpley, who played for Wayzata in high school, suffered two concussions this season - the third and fourth of his career.

By Brian Stensaas

April 7, 2016 at 1:09AM

New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) chases Buffalo Bills' A.J. Tarpley (59) after Tarpley intercepted a pass to end the game during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 22-17. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert) (Brian Stensaas — AP/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A.J. Tarpley, the quick, hard-hitting Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year linebacker from Wayzata who went on to star at Stanford and make it as an undrafted free agent in the NFL, retired from football Wednesday.

Tarpley, 23, said he suffered two concussions during his rookie season, the third and fourth of his football career. He made the announcement on his Instagram account.

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Tarpley appeared in 14 games for the Bills as a rookie. He made eight tackles, recorded a sack and made interceptions in back-to-back games to end the season.

about the writer

Brian Stensaas

Multiplatform Editing Team Leader

Brian Stensaas has been with the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2004. He is a Multiplatform Editing Team Leader, with reporting experience covering high school sports, the NHL, NBA and professional golf.