Kirk Dixon has revealed that his "respect" for Castleford Tigers swayed his decision to prematurely call time on his playing career.
The 30-year-old announced his retirement from the Super League earlier this week due to a neck injury.
Having undergone an operation in the off-season, Dixon was told he that he faced a seven-month layoff before returning to action, although he instead decided to cut short his playing days.
"I didn't want to sit there for seven months picking up a wage, taking up a spot and not contributing," he told BBC Sport. "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. It was the second neck procedure I'd had and the way the sport is going and the physicality of the sport it would have been tough to come back playing. I didn't know if I could give my best knowing what sort of performances I'd put in."
Dixon made a total of 158 appearances in the Super League, scoring 70 tries across a 10-year career.
Daniel Lewis
