Darrelle Revis mulled retiring following microfracture surgery

New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis was so distraught by a severe knee injury three years ago that he considered quitting football -- at the age of 27.

"I did think about retiring," Revis told Sports Illustrated in a cover story released this week. "I had never been seriously injured before, and I didn't know how to handle it."

Revis also revealed in the interview that he underwent microfracture surgery to repair the torn ACL. Previously, it was reported as reconstructive surgery. A microfracture procedure is more complicated than typical surgery and requires a longer recovery time.

His uncle, former NFL defensive lineman Sean Gilbert, convinced Revis to eliminate any thoughts of retirement.

Gilbert, one of the cornerback's closest confidantes, told the magazine, "Most every player is thinking about retirement while he's playing because [football is] a bona fide grind. I told him, 'You can think that. But you've got to get over it.'"

The knee injury, suffered in Week 3 of the 2012 season, was one of the factors that prompted the Jets to trade Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Revis admitted he didn't feel 100 percent healthy until Week 4 or 5 last season, when he was playing for the New England Patriots. He still managed to make the All-Pro team, becoming a vital piece on the Patriots' Super Bowl championship team.

As expected, the Patriots didn't exercise a $20 million option, making him a free agent. Revis could've re-signed with the Patriots, but he signed a blockbuster contract to return to the Jets -- five years, $70 million, including $39 million fully guaranteed.

Revis enjoyed his one season in New England Patriots, but he may carry some bitterness toward his former team.

In June, his mother flew to Boston for the Patriots' ring ceremony at owner Robert Kraft's home, but she was told she couldn't attend because Revis wasn't present. He couldn't make it because he had promised his two kids a vacation to Disney World.

That apparently didn't sit well.

"If that's how they want to do things, that's fine," Revis said. "I'm not going to waste my time on it."