Longtime USA Sevens player Zack Test is retiring from rugby.

Test, 28, who held records for most appearances and most tries by a USA player in the Sevens World Series (the tries record has since been broken), was the best player on the team for eight years, helping lead the Eagles from a national side that played in only a few tournaments a year to one of the best.

Test also suited up for the USA Sevens team, making his mark in the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a remarkable sequence of tackles that showed his technique and fitness.

But in early 2017, Test almost died after suffering a head injury while playing in the ARC against Uruguay. He recovered and has been coaching as well as working his way back to health.

But playing rugby is no longer in the future for the 28-year-old. He announced in a social media post that he is retiring, saying, in part:

"After a long discussion with my loved ones, unfortunately, I am retiring from the sport of rugby. Making this decision has been the single hardest act I have ever had to do,
I simply cannot risk another injury.

"Players, parents, coaches, and trainers all need to increase awareness of head injuries in the sport and I am committed to helping spread the information.

"I want to say thank you to everyone that has helped and supported me in my rugby career.

"From coaches who taught me, to the medical staff that healed me, to the teammates that turned into brothers, and to the wonderful family, friends, and fans who motivated me every day to be the best I could be — thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

"Playing rugby has been the most amazing and enjoyable ride any person could ask for.
The lifelong memories, friends, and values will stay with me forever."

Test played for the USA U19s and was a contemporary of Nate Ebner, Scott LaValla, Cam Dolan, and Thretton Palamo in that program. 

Test joined the USA Sevens program in 2009 and helped revolutionize the game when it came to using restarts as an attacking option.

He left the USA team with 143 tries, far and away the most by an Eagles player until Perry Baker broke that record this season.

It is difficult to explain fully what he meant to the USA team. He helped bridge the gap after the loss of stars such as Chris Wyles and was a stalwart for close to 10 years.