Former or Ex?

I find it interesting that the A2.com refers to Cissoko as a "former player" (DetNews.com says the same): http://www.annarbor.com/news/former-u-of-m-football-charged-in-attempte… and in a earlier article refers to Charles Woodson as an "ex-Michigan football star": http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/benefit-dinner-will-feature-… Maybe i'm nit picking, but it seems that those references should be reversed. "Ex" sounds like you left on bad terms, former sounds like you used to play there and moved on to bigger and better things. I go with the U.S. Marines theory, once a Marine, always a Marine. The only Marines i've seen referred to as ex-Marines are those dishonorably discharged. Thoughts?