Even if you lost your love for football, I don't get why you would give up a free ride to college. $15k a year would be worth playing. Its not like most people enjoy their jobs. Better than having a part time job and ending up with debt.
I'm going to guess you've never done it. If you don't love the game, putting in the work that needs to be put in is a huge deal. I commend him, actually for getting out instead of going through the motions for four more years never helping. Of course, those guys get pushed out but the point remains.