30-year old Kirk Dixon has announced his retirement from Rugby League due to injury, effective immediately.
The Castleford winger, who also had a spell in rugby union with Northampton, was told that it would take him 6-months to recover from a recent surgery to replace a disk in his neck and decided to retire from Rugby League after professional advice.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Dixon said: "I didn't want to sit there for seven months picking up a wage, taking up a spot and not contributing.
"I've got more respect for the club and the coach and players than that. It is the right decision all round.
"The surgeon's opinion was that I should look where I am in my career and at the risks that are there."
The winger was also overwhelmed with the support he received on social media, with the hashtag '#ThankYouKirkDixon' trending on Twitter, being tweeted 1000s of times, including by teammates, journalists and the official Super League account. "The support I've had has been overwhelming, on social media, texts and calls - it's been quite humbling," he added.
Good luck to Kirk in the future.
#ThankYouKirkDixon
The Castleford winger, who also had a spell in rugby union with Northampton, was told that it would take him 6-months to recover from a recent surgery to replace a disk in his neck and decided to retire from Rugby League after professional advice.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Dixon said: "I didn't want to sit there for seven months picking up a wage, taking up a spot and not contributing.
"I've got more respect for the club and the coach and players than that. It is the right decision all round.
"The surgeon's opinion was that I should look where I am in my career and at the risks that are there."
The winger was also overwhelmed with the support he received on social media, with the hashtag '#ThankYouKirkDixon' trending on Twitter, being tweeted 1000s of times, including by teammates, journalists and the official Super League account. "The support I've had has been overwhelming, on social media, texts and calls - it's been quite humbling," he added.
Good luck to Kirk in the future.
#ThankYouKirkDixon