I remember watching House Ballard run onto the field in his last season (it was the last game I was able to attend). I literally choked up. That guy was an absolute warrior. You could see that it hurt like hell just to move, let alone to run onto the field. His legs didn't even move the right direction it seemed, but run onto the field he did, and then he stonewalled the Raiders for 4 full quarters and NOBODY got through the house. It was a sight to see. I'm grateful I got to watch him play.
I wish he had stuck with coaching as first planned, but I understand why he just had to walk away. Seeing the guys go out and play every week must have hurt him like crazy (even more than his knees) because he was the ultimate competitor. A massive guy with a massive amount of talent and heart, and the most undernoticed Seahawk great there may have ever been.