I was sad to hear this news yesterday, as someone who loves the game of football and dreamed of becoming a footballer myself as a kid it is unfortunate to see someone who did manage to make it have it ended prematurely.
Most important thing is that he is still here though and will have a healthy life, hopefully he is still able to continue to be involved in the sport in some capacity.
I agree with you @jclark. To have made it to the heights he reached, and to have it cut short by a career-ending injury is just too devastating. I hope he'd do fine off the field, perhaps in a managerial or administrative role. Thanks for reading.