Compelling: Former Wisconsin guard John Moffitt walks away from the NFL leaving possible millions on the table
Claims the game just doesn't make him happy and that he doesn't care if he has a chance to win the Super Bowl (he plays with Manning in Denver). I admire his perspective--what's surprising is you don't hear about this type of thing happening more often, especially among guys who have had the opportunity to bank 3 or 4 million dollars. As he says here: "How much do you really need?"
Sorry! UPDATE: link:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/23890717/john-moffitt-walks-away-from-nfl-…
November 6th, 2013 at 1:34 PM ^
FYI it appears your link is broken.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:40 PM ^
Our society is so completely correct in every way possible.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:41 PM ^
Lol I get what you're trying to say.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
retiring. Meaning that, like Albert Haynesworth, they cash a big check and instantly lose all motivation and simply cash the checks until they get released. Obviously this guy is doing it the honorable way, for which he should be commended.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
him. Which is a real shame because Chomsky is a total (stopped for no poltics rule)...
November 6th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
He is a leader in the field of linguistics.
November 6th, 2013 at 5:34 PM ^
No question he is a cunning linguist.
/ducks/
November 6th, 2013 at 1:56 PM ^
…Linguist?
November 6th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
I have a huge problem with Gnome Chomsky. His mischievous pranks and impish ways are totally unacceptable. Something has got to change.
November 7th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
I thought it was powerful. The feel good chimp movie of the week.
November 7th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^
"Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-lagunga" or Chomsky's writings had more impact.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^
Lost the love of the game and health concerns.
Not surprising really. The NFL sucks.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^
he was able to get out with a certain amount of his health intact. Many players keep subjecting their bodies to the abuses of the game - not out of love for the game, or even love of competition - but the need to keep the money flowing. Hopefully he has secured enough of his future to be happier outside of football for a very long time.
November 6th, 2013 at 1:56 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 1:56 PM ^
it's not worth letting it go to your head. Good for him.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
1st down Michigan at the 1 yard line 35 years ago, dammit!
November 6th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
a B1G line judge made that call ... I still have it out for USC as well..revenge will be so sweet...only then will I rest in peace... yes dammit all to hell.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:05 PM ^
Does he have any eligibilty left?
November 6th, 2013 at 2:07 PM ^
But he failed his physical. His health issues probably helped his decision.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^
True, but I think the article states that he was guaranteed $700 K next year. I might consider shoveling hot shit in a wet suit for one year for that.
Maybe it's just the juxtaposition of this and the Incognito thing, along with coaches dropping with major health issues every other week, but it almost seem like there is a fracture line between the broader culture and the culture that exists in highly competitive football. Or maybe it's always been there and there is a brighter spotlight.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:47 PM ^
I've debated started a new thread on Incognito, but decided against it. Anyway, reading some of the news accounts on Incognito is pretty disturbing. He definitely has that so called OL "Nasty" streak. If Incognito's behavior is what it means to be nasty, I don't want nasty linemen at Michigan. Play hard, but play fair. I don't like dirty play, and I detest the bullying and the personal insults that came from Incognito. I really hope that this isn't the kind of thing that Kalis was praised for (in being "nasty.")
November 6th, 2013 at 5:45 PM ^
My understanding was that he was only guaranteed $300k+ if he finished this season, and could potentially get another $700k+ if he made the roster next season, which is by no means a given.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:22 PM ^
"Once you tear away all the illusions of it, it's hard work. And it's dangerous work. And you're away from your family. And it's not good for families. It's very tough on families," he said.
Between this and what he said at the end regarding leaving on his own terms and being young enough to find success in something else and retain a good quality of life, you can only respect the decision, even applaud it perhaps. I wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors
November 6th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
RESPECT.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
Michigan's center on the Single Greatest Collegiate Offensive Line Ever Assembled.
Went undrafted but still started most of his rookie season with Washington, and was in line to be the starter the next year as well before he abruptly retired to return to his hometown and teach. If I remember correctly, he did it because he had a learning disability that he'd managed to overcome and wanted to help other kids through the same process.
Here's an interview Michael Rothstein did with him a while back: http://www.annarbor.com/sports/catching-up-with-former-michigan-offensi…
November 6th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
I think a few years back that had a guy from Cadillac (Riley someone?) who was a topX list kind of O-lineman and a holy lock for MSU but decided he didn't really like football that much and now I believe he's on MSU's track team. As much as we love football, it isn't for everyone obviously
November 6th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 6:18 PM ^
Can I ask what your old and new professions are? It this is TMI for the board, no problem.
November 6th, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^
I know we're not supposed to do this, but he's actually the Offensive Coordinator for Michigan.
(I kid, I kid - I'm in the camp that thinks that while Borges has made some baffling moves, he also deserves a chance to install his offense with largely his own players, etc.)
November 6th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^
and here's one now.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^
since I live in Seattle where he played the last few years...dude is an odd ball. This is super fitting with him.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:55 PM ^
Good for him. He is doing it his way and that's all that matters.
However,the man made over a million dollars playing a game. Sure, it's tough, but so are a lot of other jobs.Football players are not the only ones to suffer lasting physical problems. My father back and legs are screwed up for working for FedEx for 25 years. Firefighters, soldiers, cops, miners, and wide variety of other professions also offer the potential for life altering injuries. All these jobs do it without the ability to make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
I don't know if he understands how good he had it. The NFL is a tough game, but it still is just a game.
Also, it is easy to say "How much money do you need?' when you have over a million dollars in the bank.I'd much rather have too much than too little money.
November 6th, 2013 at 4:30 PM ^
You mean to tell me he couldn't stay on the job a couple more months and finish the season with the rest of the team? His sociology degree would be just as useful in February as it is right now.
So he lost his love. Not everybody gets to work a job they love. Be a man and finish up the season, then go plant your flowers or clean parks. So much for the team, the team, the team.
November 6th, 2013 at 4:55 PM ^
he was playing for a contract.
November 6th, 2013 at 5:03 PM ^
And when you're on that team, you're expected to do your job. He quit on them. Plain and simple.
November 6th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
Oh boo hoo
November 6th, 2013 at 6:39 PM ^
Tell that to all the college coaches who bail on their team before the season ends. I have a lot more respect for his reasons. Pro football is grueling and can get his own teammates hurt if he doesn't have the motivation for it.
November 6th, 2013 at 4:31 PM ^
November 6th, 2013 at 5:05 PM ^
He went undrafted, but signed with Arizona. Was cut before the season, so he did not play in any games. He was back in Kinesiology for grad school by 1998.
November 6th, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^
although it is hard to tell if he was after that in the first place. I respect his decision, but the timing is odd.
I do wonder how many NFL players quit at season's end just because they are ready to move on.
November 6th, 2013 at 5:19 PM ^
Unless he had a scare in practice (concussion, pain, etc) kind of strange to leave mid season, even if you know you are done. Total conjecture here, but perhaps he's known for a while but didnt want to be labeled a "pussy" for walking away but the response to the Martin-Incognito fiasco gave him the perspective to say 1) Who gives a shit what others say 2) Most people will get that I am not a pussy for walking away 3) Won't be too big a story with other shit going down.
November 6th, 2013 at 6:49 PM ^
I saw what you did there!
November 6th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^
Another overrated badger who couldn't cut it at the next level, ala gabe carimi.no loss.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:23 PM ^
he was barely even playing, and in most cases wasn't even dressing for games, it was not a very smart decision. Just stay on the roster for the rest of the season, collect your 300K and THEN quit. I really don't see what quitting mid-season and giving up 300K does for him. It's not like he is drawing attention to some greater cause or anything. He's just costing himself 300K, which if properly invested, could have been over 2 million dollars by the time he was 60 years old.
November 7th, 2013 at 1:52 AM ^
well, it buys him anarcho-syndicalist cred