Daunte Culpepper, who was unable to find a starting QB position or backup job this offseason, announced his retirement today at the age of 31. Culpepper was offered one-year deals from the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the backup, but didn’t find those offers suitable. Even though his surgically reconstructed knee and his throwing arm were still strong during those team visits, Culpepper decided to hang up his cleats and helmet early.
Since the 11th pick in the 1999 NFL draft, Culpepper has played nine NFL seasons for three different teams- the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, and the Oakland Raiders. His best years were with the Vikings as he established himself as one of the leagues top quarterbacks. During his career, Culpepper completed 1,867 of 2,927 passes for 22,422 yards and 142 touchdowns. His career quarterback rating was a airy 89.9. His best season was in 2004 when he threw for 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns for the Vikings. Not to mention Randy Moss was on his team back then.
Culpepper blew out his knee the next season, and his career was never the same afterwards. Culpepper signed a one-year deal with the Raiders last season but didn’t land another job.
Culpepper issued the following statement today:
“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 back-up 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 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, 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
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