[Editor’s note: On Friday, free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper, a nine-year veteran whose 110.9 passer rating in 2004 ranks fifth on the all-time single season list, sent an open letter to the NFL, which was posted exclusively on PFT. This is the complete, unedited text of Daunte’s follow-up, in which he announces his retirement from the National Football League.]
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 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 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
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researchALLwars, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 11:50 am
Money, Power, and Control.
He’s got it.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Lawdog, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 11:54 am
Translation: I fought the law and the law won. You wanted to be this free agent maverick, and right or wrong, you are not on a roster. Why you would retire and leave millions on the table on the basis of an ill defined principal escapes me and likely most NFL observers. In short, I wish you luck, hope you saved, because you are giving up on employment you could have for reasons that appear at best etherial and at worst obstinance over reason. I hope whatever endeavor you now pursue will prove as or nearly as fruitful as what you have chosen to leave behind.
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Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
TimTheEnchanter, a Water Boy, on 9/4/08 at 11:55 am
“I cannot remember the last time so many QB’s have been injured during the preseason.”
Huh??? Maybe I’m forgetting something obvious but (notwithstanding the QB Cluster-F here in Baltimore where Cam Cameron isn’t likely to take on the player he didn’t like last year), what long term QB injuries have there been this year other than Batch? In fact, with the unretirement of Favre, that’s one *additional* QB in the mix that wasn’t there at the start of mini-camps.
And didn’t we hear he turned down offers to sign?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
IC Light, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 11:56 am
Is Daunte Culpepper now the new Vinny Testaverde? I hope so. I wish Daunte the best of luck and hope to see him back on the field some day. The vikings ‘04 offense was something to behold, if you don’t make it back, thanks for the memories.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
fatalfact, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 11:57 am
Self pity much ? Life would’ve been better for daunte if he dropped the tude and just hired an agent and just went out and PERFORMED. Daunte is better then a good percentage of the leagues back up quarterbacks but his attitude which got him to this point is the problem. I say kudos to the league for not caving in to this guys pity train.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
GhostofBuffalo, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 11:57 am
That’s not right. I feel bad for the guy.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Bwhahahahahahaahah!! This will last as long as the next phone call………if there is one.
The truth is that Daunte appears to have chip on his shoulder and that is what is turning teams off. Can you imagine Favre saying crap like this?
It was never about the game with Cuilpepper it now comes out, it was about proper procedure, protocol and his monumental ego.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
josereyes0, a Division Champ, on 9/4/08 at 11:57 am
Well said. You go Culpepper. (Even though you ruined my Fantasy season a few years back)
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
DarnSkippy, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 12:00 pm
I’m announcing my retirement, too. Instead of waiting for 47,984 serious injuries to happen to quarterbacks for me to get my chance to start, I’m calling it a career. In my 31 years, I have yet to throw an interception in the NFL.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
JaguarsSunday, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 12:01 pm
You didn’t have to do this. You could have learned the business side and still hired an agent. You would have found work in the spring. Sticking to your guns is great and all, but if you end up losing in the end was it worth it? You are still young and gave up a promising career because of being stubborn. If you know teams would have dealt with you had you hired an agent, why wouldn’t you do that if you really loved to play the game? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I wish you the best of luck. It’s a shame you’ll be remembered as what could have been.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
BBWC1986, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:02 pm
On one hand I feel bad for the guy. On the other hand he wasn’t really willing to try and revive his career. He really wanted a starting position handed to him at best and be able to compete for one at worst. He tried to come back from his injury to fast and that is what killed his career (going to Miami didn’t help either). Should have signed 1 year minimum deal and shown what he can do. If he was really that great teams would be breaking down his door. Remember that he was good when he was throwing to Moss who made a lot of GREAT catches in his days with Minnesota. Alex Smith might be able to have a great year too if he was throwing to Moss…
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
eric2706, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:03 pm
Maybe I missed it. But what stance did he take? Do you really think the NFL is blackballing him?
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Pea Tear Griffin, a Hall of Famer, on 9/4/08 at 12:05 pm
Wow, I’m shocked. Good luck to you Daunte! Maybe you could write a book about your experiences . . .
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Mute, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:08 pm
I feel bad for the guy, I wish someone would just go for him. He isn’t terrible, but not a starter either.
“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”
I like that he has the cojones to throw that comment in there, it’s true, but I think that just burned the bridge for him coming back ever.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
alewatcher, a Rookie, on 9/4/08 at 12:10 pm
Bummer. He could likely still be effective as a QB, but I really think his decision to be his own agent has hurt him more than it helped.
Of course, now that he has “retired”, the cost of one of those “elusive return phone calls” just went up, methinks.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
moswesley, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 12:12 pm
These open letters just aren’t necessary. The comments about being above the whole issue of waiting for another QB to get injured and not getting to honor Gene Upshaw in uniform make Daunte look more like a Diva than ever before.
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Rating: 4 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
jason00079, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 12:14 pm
Quitter
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bjjfan, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:17 pm
Well, count me as a fan, regardless of whether or not you play a game again in the NFL. Good luck to you in your post-football life.
This letter was very well written. Maybe you could get a job as Tatum Bell’s english coach?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
BBWC1986, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:20 pm
It didn’t take “cojones” to say that. He basically broke up with his girlfriend via letter knowing he was never going to see her again. He is bitter that nobody is willing to give him a huge contract. If he really wants to come back he will work for the minimum and prove himself worthy.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
pmulry, a Passionate Fan, on 9/4/08 at 12:22 pm
You’re just going to quit like that? Rather than hire an agent who could get you a job in the league? That’s disgusting. If you’re just going to quit when things don’t go your way, then I can understand why no NFL team would want you.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Hoser, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:27 pm
I will miss Daunte in a big way. Daunte’ defined the game and my enthusiasm for it while he played. Sure, I am also a fantasy football player and even wrote an article about Daunte on my site because he transcended the game in my mind. I have his jerseys, autographed memorabilia and a lot of great memories of watching his game, his enthusiasm, his spirit and him getting his “roll” on. His return to Miami while in an Oakland uniform will always be one of my favorite memories of him and it was an emotional game for me watching him. I am not even sure what the connection was be he defined the game for me and most of what is good about it.
I personally wish he would not give up, not get frustrated and that he would persevere as he has over the past 3 years, but I can understand his frustration and his desire to move on. There hasn’t been a day that has gone by where I haven’t hoped I would see a news alert that Daunte was back with another team … and if he hangs in there, I think it may still be a possibility.
I fully expected him to get a chance with BAL as there is a good leadership structure there, good team unity and obviously a need.
I wish more players, heck … any player, had the spirit, enthusiasm and love for the game that Daunte does.
Good luck Daunte’.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
lombardi77, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:36 pm
Kinda hard to feel sorry for him or think he was blackballed. Maybe he doesnt have a job because he’s stupid and you don’t want a stupid QB:
“Free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper recently addressed reports that he received an offer to play for the Packers.
As reported, it was a one-year, $1 million deal.
But Culpepper told the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner that the reports don’t reflect the “whole story.”
“I don’t want to comment on it too much,” said Culpepper, who still serves as his own agent.
Meanwhile, the offseason programs have wrapped up in most cities, and Culpepper is on the outside looking in.
“I’m just waiting for the right situation for me,” he said. “I’m in talks with a couple of different teams right now.”
But the “right situation” would have included a chance to get ensconced via attending the weeks of practices and meetings in which he didn’t have a chance to participate last season because the Dolphins refused to release him as they tried to trade him.”
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Dekan, a Cheerleader, on 9/4/08 at 12:38 pm
Yeah I think he’s being blackballed in a backhanded way. It’s the fact that he doesn’t have an agent driving this. If he was able to sit down teams and work out his own deal. It would have been bad for agents, cause it would set a bad precedence( in their view). Think about it like this if Daunte was able to go get his own deal what would stop Brady from dumping his agent and doing his own deal. The agents then lose commission.
If you really think about it the better player you are the less you need an agent.
The better players also make more money which would mean larger commission to be missed by agents.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
xskippzx, a Head Coach, on 9/4/08 at 12:38 pm
eric2706, I was thinking the same thing. I don’t recall seeing any comments made to describe what his speculation was. It’ll be interesting to find out exactly what his thoughts are/were.
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Update: Daunte Culpepper Retires | The Viking Age | A Blog For Minnesota Vikings Fans on 9/4/08 at 12:39 pm
[…] Culpepper has released a retirement message via email to various outlets. Here’s the text of said letter: Farewell […]
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