Cincinnati – Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday that former University of Georgia star David Pollack planned to retire from the NFL.

Lewis revealed that Pollack — who suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck during the 2006 season — probably wouldn't play and that "I believe where he's headed is retirement."

"I think he's not completely comfortable with where he is medically," Lewis said. "Although he has been given an opportunity and released to play football, I think there's a lot to this guy. We know the quality of the person. He has such a bright future no matter what he chooses to do. We're proceeding in the fashion that he's not going to be part of this football team. He spoke to me well over a week ago and that's where things are headed. It's been a tough, tough decision for he and his family."

Pollack did not return a phone call or a text message from the Atlanta Journal-Constitituion Tuesday. His agent, Ken Kremer, did not return phone calls.

"Even if I can't play football again, I feel blessed that I've been able to play a kids' game this long," Pollack told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in February. "The experiences along the way have made me a better person, a stronger person. You learn a lot about life and who really cares about you when things like this happen."

To Haruki Nakamura, the revelation was not a surprise.

Nakamura, a former University of Cincinnati safety, trained with Pollack the past few months in preparation for this weekend's NFL draft. Pollack began to look thinner and thinner and Nakamura sensed his professional career with the Bengals was over.

Even as Pollack weighed his options – "He went back and forth," Nakamura said – he told reporters he hadn't made up his mind.

"For him, that's a risky situation," Nakamura said. "It's unbelievable. For him to be walking is a miracle in itself. For him to walk around and enjoy life, you have to be blessed. I think he made the right decision."

The former Shiloh High School standout, who became a three-time All American as a Bulldogs defensive end, was Cincinnati's first-round draft pick (17th overall) in 2005.

After a lengthy holdout and a switch to linebacker at the beginning of his rookie season, Pollack eventually earned a starting spot and made a career-high 10 tackles in the Bengals playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

However, on Sept. 17, 2006, the second game of his second season, he collided with Cleveland running back Rueben Droughns, and suffered a fracture of the C6 vertebrae. Though he avoided paralysis, he wore a neck immobilization device until he underwent surgery in January 2007.

He has spent the last 16 months trying to rehabilitate himself into football shape.

"The good thing is he's recovered from this where he's going to have an outstanding life," Lewis said.

Even though doctors cleared him to resume football activities, Pollack apparently decided not to risk his future. It means Pollack — who has talked about returning to UGA and has worked on TV with CBS during college football season — could come home.

Lewis also mentioned that Pollack, if he chooses, could turn to coaching.

"I know he wants to stay close to the game," Lewis said.

— Staff writer Carroll Rogers contributed to this report.