Culpepper retires... Who could use him?

[Dolphin-UK]

http://blogs.nfl.com/category/adam-schefter/

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

[Phishfan]

In a case where no one wants you, are you really retiring or just finally coming to grips with reality?

[Brian Fein]

sounds to me more like "Waa!  No one wants me!"

If he would allow himself to play the role that people wanted him to play and stop "fighting for players' rights", he'd have a job right now.  I'm sure he's a very servicable backup in this league still.  I know he's better than Brooks Bollinger...

[simeon]

Didn't Pittsburgh give him a shot and Daunte had the smug attitude that he would take Big Ben's job ? He crapped out in Miami and crapped out in Oakland, why would anyone want him ? Daunte enjoy your retirement.

[landlocked]

sounds to me more like "Waa!  No one wants me!"

If he would allow himself to play the role that people wanted him to play and stop "fighting for players' rights", he'd have a job right now.  I'm sure he's a very servicable backup in this league still.  I know he's better than Brooks Bollinger...

WORD!Sadly,his ego won't let him deal with reality.

[Philly Fin Fan]

I might be looking too much into it, but it sounds to me like he is lobbying for Upshaw's job...

[CF DolFan]

I might be looking too much into it, but it sounds to me like he is lobbying for Upshaw's job...

I was thinking the same thing.  He even was selling himself as an agent who has learned the insides of the game that players don't get to see. 

He's a tool!!

[Tenshot13]

^If given the chance i think he would "fumble" away the opportunity 

[bsfins]

sounds to me more like "Waa!  No one wants me!"

If he would allow himself to play the role that people wanted him to play and stop "fighting for players' rights", he'd have a job right now.  I'm sure he's a very servicable backup in this league still.  I know he's better than Brooks Bollinger...

Word, Hmm I wonder how Big Poppa Pump is holding up with the news...Daute was Pumps' Boy.....

[Fau Teixeira]

i wonder how tommy's holding up .. he'd play QB on tommy's team any day !

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Is that letter even for real?

[Philly Fin Fan]

Is that letter even for real?

Yes, I've seen it reported on several different sports sites. What I think is funny is that every reporter he sent it to was told "you are the first to get this". I guess he didn't figure the reporters would include that part in their articles/news stories!

[bsfins]

Anyone else think...that Just Maybe. (I've always thought So personally)..Daunte Couldn't read a NFL quality Defenses? I mean The Raiders Draft the "Next " Daunte Culpepper,a supersized version of Daunte Culpepper,but don't attempt to to mentor him...more than one year....

[Frimp]

...If he wasn't being such a baby.

Atlanta
Baltimore
Looks like we could add Washington to this list.
Chicago
Detroit

Anyone else?

[Denver_Bronco]

He retired today so he must not be needed.