What is your WORST memory of a player hanging on too long?

[Gwynn545]

With Brett Favre talk of coming to the Bears (it can't be true, but it is "talk") made me remember my worst memory of one of my all-time favorites hanging on too long.

Franco Harris coming to the Seahawks...

What could be so bad about my hero, coming to my hometown?
HE was sooooo embarrassing... lasted 8 games (played in only 6) and averaged 20 yards per game.... Uggghhhh... BAD memory!

I know football has a lot of them, anyone else with bad memories?

 

[Card Magnet]

An honorable mention definitely goes to Tiki Barber. After failing at his media career, he failed at his comeback.


As far as worst memory of a player hanging on too long, I think I'm going to go with Brett Favre in 2010. He played horribly (including the worst int % of his interception filled career), his heart was not there, he came off as being a defeated man in post game interviews, and the stunt to try and extend his streak was just pathetic. Add in all the drama he brought with the retired/active routine, and that teammates had to fly out to convince him to come back, and it becomes the worst case in my active memory.

The ordeal in 2010 was so laughable that the Texans GM referred to Favre as being a "circus" he didn't want to bring to town when questioned if Favre was in the mix with Schaub and Leinart out.


Emmitt Smith also deserves mention. First of all, he never should have been in any uniform other than a Cowboys one, and he also should have retired before that final run with the Cardinals. He put up a 2.8 and 3.5 ypc, the worst of his career over those two years. He failed to reach 1,000 yards in 2002 for the first time since his rookie season, and then went on to rack up a stellar 256 over 10 games with the Cardinals in 2003. He managed to semi-redeem himself in 2004 with a 900+ yard season over 15 games, which is why I didn't not rank him #1.

 

[jeremy]

barry sanders

 

[Lancemountain]

Jerry Rice.

 

[dfr52]

An honorable mention definitely goes to Tiki Barber. After failing at his media career, he failed at his comeback.


As far as worst memory of a player hanging on too long, I think I'm going to go with Brett Favre in 2010. He played horribly (including the worst int % of his interception filled career), his heart was not there, he came off as being a defeated man in post game interviews, and the stunt to try and extend his streak was just pathetic. Add in all the drama he brought with the retired/active routine, and that teammates had to fly out to convince him to come back, and it becomes the worst case in my active memory.

The ordeal in 2010 was so laughable that the Texans GM referred to Favre as being a "circus" he didn't want to bring to town when questioned if Favre was in the mix with Schaub and Leinart out.


Emmitt Smith also deserves mention. First of all, he never should have been in any uniform other than a Cowboys one, and he also should have retired before that final run with the Cardinals. He put up a 2.8 and 3.5 ypc, the worst of his career over those two years. He failed to reach 1,000 yards in 2002 for the first time since his rookie season, and then went on to rack up a stellar 256 over 10 games with the Cardinals in 2003. He managed to semi-redeem himself in 2004 with a 900+ yard season over 15 games, which is why I didn't not rank him #1.

2002 should have been a much better year for Smith and one where he easily had over 1,000 yards but the OL played terrible the last few games and Smith struggled to even get a yard or two. In 2003 Smith was injured and 2004 was a nice return and one where he should have won the Comeback Player of the Year. He probably would have finished w/ 1,000 yards in 04 if Leonard Davis didn't get hurt toward the end of the season and Smith didn't get turf toe (an injury that only caused him to miss one game compared to the multiple games that others usually miss).

I do agree that Smith should never have left the Cowboys and finished his final two years w/ them rather than the Cards.

 

[notjomommasclint]

dan marino in his final game. he threw a pick and watching him run after the play to make the tackle was pathetic. he looked like an 80 year old man hobbling and broken. he still had the monster arm but the rest of it was mush for the last 2 years of his career.

 

[f2tornado]

Chris Carter went to the Dolphins in 2002, looked out of place and did not perform all that great. I cannot blame a guy for seeing if any gas is left in the tank for one last season. My award goes to Daunte Culpper. A five year traveling circus from Minnesota to Miami to Oakland to Detroit.

 

[alabamalongsnake]

Too many to name

Favre, Randy Moss, TO, Kerry Collins

Different sport but MJ23 in Hoops definitely up there ; Shaq as well

 

[TiajuanaDonkey]

Football: Jerry Rice

Basketball: Michael Jordan

 

[kcgranola]

Football: Jerry Rice

Basketball: Michael Jordan

agreed would add

Baseball: Jordan

 

[miguelcabrera]

barry sanders or robert smith (vikings rb). glen coffee comes to mind as well.

 

[TomMurry]

Only Harry and Jeremy would agree on Sanders.
Retired at the peak of his career and walked away completely.

 

[morgoth]

barry sanders

Joke??? Barry retired at the peak of his career and could have easily rewrote the NFL record books but felt his team wasn't committed to winning and didn't want to end up with alzheimers at age 40.

I would vote for Aikeman, his last two years of concussed confusion were very hard to watch.

Merril Hodges last games were also very painful.

 

[TiajuanaDonkey]

Football: Jerry Rice

Basketball: Michael Jordan

agreed would add

Baseball: Jordan

there was nothing for Jordan to "hang on" to in Baseball.

 

[bcubs]

barry sanders

I hope you're kidding. Barry quit after a season of almost 1,500 yards rushing.

 

[Super Mario]

[youtube:16t2cxbn]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_w9F28Z_dc[/youtube:16t2cxbn]

 

[CollectorsCorner]

Chris Carter went to the Dolphins in 2002, looked out of place and did not perform all that great. I cannot blame a guy for seeing if any gas is left in the tank for one last season. My award goes to Daunte Culpper. A five year traveling circus from Minnesota to Miami to Oakland to Detroit.

Culpepper still plays and plays well for the AFL? (Never remember the initials) He looked really good last year. There is a difference between playing to long and trying to play through injury.

 

[CollectorsCorner]

barry sanders or robert smith (vikings rb). glen coffee comes to mind as well.

Robert Smith retired after only a couple years of play. He was really good and wanted to go back to school. How is that hanging on to long?

 

[CollectorsCorner]

An honorable mention definitely goes to Tiki Barber. After failing at his media career, he failed at his comeback.


As far as worst memory of a player hanging on too long, I think I'm going to go with Brett Favre in 2010. He played horribly (including the worst int % of his interception filled career), his heart was not there, he came off as being a defeated man in post game interviews, and the stunt to try and extend his streak was just pathetic. Add in all the drama he brought with the retired/active routine, and that teammates had to fly out to convince him to come back, and it becomes the worst case in my active memory.

Favre was an obvious choice. I don't 100% agree with it but with the media stunts and him on the fence about coming back he deserves it. His first year with the Vikings was one of his best and they got so close that I don't blame him for giving it one more try. The second year the team fell apart from injuries and Rice not getting surgery in the offseason. Still deserves to be on this list but if is second season turned out the same as his first no one would have said anything.

 

[cartersprings]

barry sanders or robert smith (vikings rb). glen coffee comes to mind as well.

Robert Smith retired after only a couple years of play. He was really good and wanted to go back to school. How is that hanging on to long?

You can use mine J, the batteries must be dead on yours.