According to Peter King's report a week or two ago, the "retirement" was as much or more related to Phillips not liking/having issues with the UCLA coaches than it was to the concussions. He considered music at that time b/c his family has a huge music background (apparently his grandfather is a world renown pianist and conductor), but figured out he loved football more despite the poor situation with the coach.
As an athlete, he's kind of a marvel. Coming out of HS there were reports from multiple college coaches calling him the best HS player they had ever seen at any position. He was the #1 HS recruit in the nation on at least some if not most of the ranking services. His pro day was called the best of any defensive player in the draft by many who witnessed it. And per reports he nailed the interviews as well. And while many had him as the best pass rusher in the draft, many pundits also had him as the best defensive player in the draft. I definitely see the Watt brother comparisons. If he doesn't have concussion issues going forward I have no trouble believing he can be as good as those guys.
