“I’d rather have the experience of playing in the NFL and die 10 to 15 years earlier than not play in the NFL and have a long life,” he said Monday during the Bears’ pregame radio show on WBBM. “I don’t really look toward my life after football. I’ll figure things out when I get there and see how I am. As long as I outlive my parents, then we’ll be all right.”
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The 25-year-old Conte is in the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. Following a poor 2013 season, Conte led the team with three interceptions despite numerous injuries. He has missed significant time with a pair of concussions and shoulder, eye and back injuries. The Bears will likely part ways with the former third-round pick from Cal, but Conte wants to play as long as he can even if it could be a detriment to his long-term health.
“I’m not saying I’m going to go die when I’m 45, 50,” he said. “I’m fortunate to go out and play football.”
