Daunte Culpepper Forced to Retire
MeteoriteGuy
Posts: 7,140 ✭✭
in Sports Talk
Sent to former Denver Post sportswriter and now NFL Network Adam Schefter today....
Just received this email from Daunte Culpepper:
Adam,
Since I do not have a team where I can do a press conference, I chose to write what I would have said. You are the first to get this.
– Daunte
Farewell NFL
When free agency began this year, I had a new sense of excitement about continuing to rebuild my career in the same way that I had rebuilt my knee after my catastrophic injury in 2005. Unfortunately, what I found out was that the league did not share any of the optimism about me as an Unrestricted Free Agent that I expected. In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year’s group of quarterbacks; whether in a starting, competing or a backup role. No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position. It seems that the stance I took in both Minnesota and Miami regarding my rights as a person and player has followed me into Free Agency.
After taking a long look at my career and my personal convictions, I have decided to begin early retirement from the NFL effective immediately. Since the beginning of training camp I was told that my opportunity would come when a quarterback gets hurt. I cannot remember the last time so many QB’s have been injured during the preseason. I have been strongly encouraged from family, friends and league personnel to continue to be patient and wait for an inevitable injury to one of the starting quarterbacks in the league. I would rather shut the door to such “opportunity” than continue to wait for one of my fellow quarterback’s to suffer a serious injury. Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life.
The decision I made in 2006 to represent myself rather than hire an agent has been an invaluable experience. I now understand why so many people within the NFL community are uncomfortable with a player really learning the business. The NFL has become more about power, money and control than passion, competition and the love of the game. Regardless of this shift, player’s rights are still supposed to be a part of this league. Since I will not be given the opportunity to honor the memory of Gene Upshaw by wearing a patch on my uniform this year, I will instead spend some of my energy applying what he taught me about standing up for what is right and not sitting down for what is clearly wrong.
I want to thank my family and my fans for their unwavering belief in me as a person and a player. I embraced both the peaks and the valleys of the game and my career. I am a better person today as a direct result of the experience of playing in the NFL. I can now focus on the enjoyment of watching some of the greatest athletes in the world play the game I love without the distraction of waiting for those elusive return phone calls.
Thankfully,
Daunte Culpepper
Just received this email from Daunte Culpepper:
Adam,
Since I do not have a team where I can do a press conference, I chose to write what I would have said. You are the first to get this.
– Daunte
Farewell NFL
When free agency began this year, I had a new sense of excitement about continuing to rebuild my career in the same way that I had rebuilt my knee after my catastrophic injury in 2005. Unfortunately, what I found out was that the league did not share any of the optimism about me as an Unrestricted Free Agent that I expected. In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year’s group of quarterbacks; whether in a starting, competing or a backup role. No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position. It seems that the stance I took in both Minnesota and Miami regarding my rights as a person and player has followed me into Free Agency.
After taking a long look at my career and my personal convictions, I have decided to begin early retirement from the NFL effective immediately. Since the beginning of training camp I was told that my opportunity would come when a quarterback gets hurt. I cannot remember the last time so many QB’s have been injured during the preseason. I have been strongly encouraged from family, friends and league personnel to continue to be patient and wait for an inevitable injury to one of the starting quarterbacks in the league. I would rather shut the door to such “opportunity” than continue to wait for one of my fellow quarterback’s to suffer a serious injury. Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life.
The decision I made in 2006 to represent myself rather than hire an agent has been an invaluable experience. I now understand why so many people within the NFL community are uncomfortable with a player really learning the business. The NFL has become more about power, money and control than passion, competition and the love of the game. Regardless of this shift, player’s rights are still supposed to be a part of this league. Since I will not be given the opportunity to honor the memory of Gene Upshaw by wearing a patch on my uniform this year, I will instead spend some of my energy applying what he taught me about standing up for what is right and not sitting down for what is clearly wrong.
I want to thank my family and my fans for their unwavering belief in me as a person and a player. I embraced both the peaks and the valleys of the game and my career. I am a better person today as a direct result of the experience of playing in the NFL. I can now focus on the enjoyment of watching some of the greatest athletes in the world play the game I love without the distraction of waiting for those elusive return phone calls.
Thankfully,
Daunte Culpepper
Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
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Comments
Either way best of luck to him, I always liked him as a player.
<< <i>I find it hard to believe that he couldn't make a third string, look at some of these other backups. Is Vinny Testaverde still around? >>
I agree. Plus when you add practice squads, how does he not rank in the top 120 QB's? Seems some truth behind what Culpepper is saying.
I also found it interesting Schefter got the scoop. Something he did several times while at Denver.
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
His biggest fault as a player was an inability to read defenses and adjust... He had some magical moment in purple...just not enough of them & at the right time...
Erik
<< <i>whether in a starting, competing or a backup role. >>
I don't buy the part about being a backup. He wanted to start. Being a backup to him was out of the question because of his own inflated ego. He would rather retire than get his pride hurt.
Like Paul said nicely, he sucks
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
He's the reason UCF football is D-1A today and has donated A LOT of money to the school, so we're very appreciative of Culpepper's career down here. I wish him the best
<< <i>
<< <i>whether in a starting, competing or a backup role. >>
I don't buy the part about being a backup. He wanted to start. Being a backup to him was out of the question because of his own inflated ego. He would rather retire than get his pride hurt.
Like Paul said nicely, he sucks
Isn't that what any former pro bowler would do? Why would you go back to your rookie days when you've already been to the top and feel you can still perform? Look at what Favre just did!
<< <i>
Isn't that what any former pro bowler would do? Why would you go back to your rookie days when you've already been to the top and feel you can still perform? Look at what Favre just did! >>
Sorry man. In the NFL it isn't what you were, it's what you are. Who cares if Culpepper was a pro bowler? He can't play worth a crap now and if he could, he would be starting just like Favre.
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>
<< <i>
Isn't that what any former pro bowler would do? Why would you go back to your rookie days when you've already been to the top and feel you can still perform? Look at what Favre just did! >>
Sorry man. In the NFL it isn't what you were, it's what you are. Who cares if Culpepper was a pro bowler? He can't play worth a crap now and if he could, he would be starting just like Favre. >>
I think you misunderstood.
You mentioned his "inflated ego" and I answered that he, and probably any other former pro bowler, would have an inflated ego in a situation like this. If I were in his shoe's, I'd do the same thing........retire with some dignity, rather than be laughed at as a 3rd stringer behind guys 5-10 years younger.
He had a few great years thanks to a great receiving crew. The knee injury basically ended his mobility, career.
If all 30 teams in the NFL refuse to offer him that same opportunity again, perhaps there is a lot of truth in that letter
A poster mentioned Carr and Harrington. That is fair, but here is where the rubber meets the road, they were willing to accept a backup job. Apparently Culpepper is not. That is fine. It is his choice, but I do not feel he has gotten a raw deal from the teams at all.
But sometimes don’t make sense
Refrigerator
<< <i>but here is where the rubber meets the road, they were willing to accept a backup job. Apparently Culpepper is not. That is fine. It is his choice, but I do not feel he has gotten a raw deal from the teams at all. >>
From Culpepper himself:
<< <i>In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year’s group of quarterbacks; whether in a starting, competing or a backup role. No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position >>
According to this letter, he is absolutely willing to accept a backup position. If there are not 60 other quarterbacks in the league better than him and no team offers him a job, there is something wrong
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
He should be a player not an agent
Erik
<< <i> No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position. It seems that the stance I took in both Minnesota and Miami regarding my rights as a person and player has followed me into Free Agency.
I will instead spend some of my energy applying what he taught me about standing up for what is right and not sitting down for what is clearly wrong. >>
That letter seems more written by a lawyer than by Daunte Culpepper, and these 2 sections hint at a future legal action. Sounds like a collusion complaint is coming.
Culpepper was brought in to GB between the time Favre retired and the draft. He was offered backup QB for $1M for a 1 year contract. He turned it down and then said it wasn't the money, it was other things and he was hoping for a chance to compete for a starting job. The Packers moved on and drafted 2 QBs. Later when DC couldn't find a job he said he was willing to sign with GB for the backup job for the $1M and was surprised when they said no thanks.
I wish him well, but all he ever had was the long pass to moss and his running ability, and he lost both.
Don't forget DC also needed a freeking hand transplant, every time he ran with the ball it seemed like a fumble was on the way.