Rank: 5th Round Draft Pick
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http://blogs.nfl.com/category/adam-schefter/Quote:
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 years 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 QBs 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 quarterbacks 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, players 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
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Rank: Hall of Famer
Posts: 12,114
Joined: 3/16/2007(UTC)
Location: North Central Wisconsin
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This will be the next QB to unretire after the phone rings in a few weeks, it is actually a pretty decent PR move to keep getting his name in the media and out there. This may backfire with some teams, but rest assured that he will get a couple calls in the next couple of weeks. |
People gather bundles of sticks to build bridges they never cross.  |
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Rank: 1st Round Draft Pick
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Joined: 12/17/2006(UTC)
Location: illinois
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completely agree, 93 - this'll have teams saying "hmmm...what ABOUT that daunte culpepper guy?" |
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Rank: 1st Round Draft Pick
Posts: 2,622
Joined: 8/11/2008(UTC)
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Actually, I think this guy's right. What's the problem with him representing himself? He did have a hell of a season with Randy Moss and the Vikings. He played better than McCown last season in the Raiders in my opinion. He's a better QB than anyone on the Bears' roster. He's better than anything the Chiefs have. Frerotte is the only one better with the Vikes and he's old as hell. Why can't he get a job in any of those places? Not to mention all the teams that would get a huge improvement if they had him as a backup. I don't think this is a PR move, I don't think he'll return. |
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Rank: Most Valuable Player
Posts: 9,922
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Can I say "I told you so" for those who were arguing with me that we should have signed him. I said "NO!"
I am very happy now that of our 53 men, none of them have the last name Culpepper. |
My man Donald Driver  (thanks to Pack93z for the pic) 2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty.    |
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Rank: Pro Bowl
Posts: 3,463
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There goes my fantasy team.
Just kidding.
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Rank: Legend
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Originally Posted by: "  There goes my fantasy team.
Just kidding. Speaking of, I drafted Tatum Bell a week before he got cut lol... I was considering taking Kenny Watson cuz I thought Rudi was going to get blown off the door, but then I heard something about they had Chris Perry running the ball or something. So I went with Bell. DUMB! |
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Rank: Dedicated Fan
Posts: 64
Joined: 8/8/2008(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: " This will be the next QB to unretire after the phone rings in a few weeks The Love Boat soon will be making another run? |
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Rank: Hall of Famer
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Joined: 3/16/2007(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: " Originally Posted by: " This will be the next QB to unretire after the phone rings in a few weeks The Love Boat soon will be making another run? Yeah, since the only reason he can't find a roster spot is his own representation.. nothing about any character issues or such. It is just another way to get his name in the press and keep it out there for a couple more days. |
People gather bundles of sticks to build bridges they never cross. |
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