Mendenhall to Retire

[Pugz]

Teams told Cardinals UFA RB Rashard Mendenhall is, in fact, retiring, per sources. Mendenhall hinted at in a Feb. 25 Huffington Post column.
10:08pm - 8 Mar 14

 

[RipCity32]

He wasn't that bad last year coming off the injury?

 

[Hurricane Season]

 
What was more difficult for me to grasp was the way that the business of entertainment had really shifted the game and the sport of football in the NFL. The culture of football now is very different from the one I grew up with. When I came up, teammates fought together for wins and got respect for the fight. The player who gave the ball to the referee after a touchdown was commended; the one who played through injury was tough; the role of the blocking tight end was acknowledged; running backs who picked up blitzing linebackers showed heart; and the story of the game was told through the tape, and not the stats alone. That was my model of football.
 
Today, game-day cameras follow the most popular players on teams; guys who dance after touchdowns are extolled on Dancing With the Starters; games are analyzed and brought to fans without any use of coaches tape; practice non-participants are reported throughout the week for predicted fantasy value; and success and failure for skill players is measured solely in stats and fantasy points. This is a very different model of football than the one I grew up with. My older brother coaches football at the high-school and youth level. One day he called me and said, "These kids don't want to work hard. All they wanna do is look cool, celebrate after plays, and get more followers on Instagram!" I told him that they might actually have it figured out.
 

 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rashard-mendenhall/rashard-mendenhall-retirement-_b_4931316.html
 
 
His writing is very impressive and eloquent.  He says he wants to travel the world and be a writer.  I'd say he's got a future ahead of him.

 

[Fuhgeddaboudit]

Solid point and well written

 

[RipCity32]

It was a good read. Totally understand him wanting to live his life and whatnot. Completely respect that.

However saying it is more of entertainment than sport, is the reason he left, I just can't get behind that.

 

[dcpwner]

I went to HS with this guy. Didn't seem that smart but his writing is good. Prolly being smart with the money he did make as well.

 

[Mobruler]

I'd say a pretty good career.  Produced at a very high level at his peak and even though he's done after six seasons, six seasons is still out-living the lifespan of most running backs.  If he's happy with the money he's made and he's going to have a better quality of life in 20 years for cutting short the abuse on his body, then good for him.