Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he voluntarily removed himself from the game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks because he didn’t want to risk a serious brain injury.

The NFL superstar was diagnosed with a traumatic ocular migraine, but said he is concussion-free, after a medical exam, Fox News reports.

Speaking to the Cook and Poni Show on Sportsradio 93.6, Roethlisberger said a brain injury is not something he’s willing to risk.

“I have played through many injuries but the brain is not an injury you want to play with,” the veteran quarterback said.

“I didn’t feel right, it doesn’t make you less of a man or a football player to come out of the game.”