Scott Self retiring after 17 seasons in NLL
Scott Self has called it a career in professional lacrosse, retiring after 17 years in the National Lacrosse League.
Self, 37, said he made the decision over the weekend and contacted the New England Black Wolves on Monday to make it official. He’s played just one game this season due to nagging knee and hip injuries and decided his body was telling him it’s time.
Self said he’ll decide later this spring if he’ll continue to play for the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers or not. There is much less travel and time commitment in the summer game, he said.
Self is a former NLL all-pro defender and two-time Champions’ Cup winner with the Rochester Knighthawks. He also twice reached the league final with the former Arizona franchise.
Self has had knee and hip surgery in recent years and was bothered by continuing issues last season.
“I played through them last season in Rochester and all summer and they weren’t getting better,” said Self, a mailman for Canada Post.
He contemplated retirement when Rochester released him in the off-season but the opportunity to play in New England was too good to pass up, he said.
“After the first game in Rochester I knew I wasn’t physically at a level where I could be effective,” he said.
He requested some time to try to get himself healthy.
“I was getting a bit better but I still didn’t feel like I was ready to play. The longer I was away the less I wanted to be back. It’s a grind and a lot of travel. When you’re going through injuries it’s not enjoyable when it gets to that point. You’re not making a lot of money, you’re doing it because you enjoy playing.”
Self acknowledges he couldn’t have imagined playing 17 years in the NLL when he first started.
“I have no regrets at all,” said Self. “It was a little crazy there for a while when I bounced around to a number of teams, but I got to play in a bunch of different cities all over North America and with a bunch of different guys. I had a lot of fun. I know I’m going to miss it. It’s been my routine for the last 16 or 17 winters.”
Self has talked to Lakers GM Paul Day and said he hasn’t ruled out playing in the summer.
“It’s kind of a wait and see for me. I didn’t want to make two decisions that big back-to-back. Physically I don’t feel good right now so the thought of playing doesn’t (appal to me) but I’ll continue to rehab and work out and if I feel better in the spring we’ll see,” Self said.