Your money or your health?

NFL players seem to be paying more attention to that question than ever before.

Four early retirements announced by players this past week — including Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds — make one wonder whether the present-day knowledge of long-term affects the heavy-hitting of pro football has on the human body is causing these guys to think a little bit.

Or a lot.

Worilds made $13 million during his five-year stint with the Steelers. He definitely could have cashed in for much more had he continued to play, especially as a would-be free agent this offseason.

But how much is enough?

San Francisco 49er linebacker Patrick Willis called it quits at age 30, still very much in his prime as a multi-time Pro Bowl player. But he missed 14 games with a toe injury last season and is concerned about potential damage to his foot if he continues to play.

And he’s made $50 million already.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker has only been in the league four years, but has been injured multiple times and simply had enough. The same could be said for former Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall and would-be free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Both of them have left the game despite the prospects of one more big contract sitting in front of them.

NFL stars have retired early in the past, some because of injury, some to pursue other interests. Lynn Swann, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Terrell Davis and Barry Sanders come to mind.

The pounding and high-impact collisions NFL players take every week has made pro football a young man’s game now more than ever before.

Make your money and get out before age 30 — and increase your chances of a quality life when you’re 50.

Seneca Valley and Slippery Rock University graduate Brandon Fusco has a five-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings and is earning his big money. One wonders if he will continue to play once that

contract is up.

Fusco suffered a torn pectoral muscle early in the 2014 season — the first major injury of his football life.

Freeport graduate Eric Ravotti had a brief NFL career with the Steelers. Former Steeler linebacker Jason Gildon is now head football coach at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic.

Ex-Steeler lineman Chris Conrad is the line coach at Slippery Rock University.

There are ways to stay in the game once a guy decides to stop playing it.

The decision on when to call it quits has to be a difficult one, though.

No one can blame these guys for wanting to be coherent while walking without a limp or a cane 20 years from now.

Then again, they receive millions of reasons to continue donning a helmet and pads.

Tough call.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle