An Open letter to Daunte Culpepper
Dear Pep,
Examine the exits of Jim Brown and Michael Strahan. They both walked away from the NFL on their terms. I agree. You do not owe anyone anything and life as well as football goes on. I get it. But maybe, just maybe this can end a bit differently.
I know that you are personally hurt and feel that you've been unfairly characterized and 'blackballed' by the powers that be. But as you know (better than most), the NFL is a business. The college athletic system annually supplies the NFL with fresh 'product' (young men with dreams of fame and fortune). These talented few trade their talents and good health for potential riches and celebrity. When the game and/or their excesses destroy their bodies these still young men with very old bodies are ushered out to make room for the latest 'crop' of talent.
I get it... and so do you.
The collegiate system turned their collective back on you when they didn't think that you would be academically eligible to play at a traditional powerhouse program. So instead, you proved them wrong at 'lowly' UCF. Now that your knee was injured due to no fault of your own, history seems to be repeating itself. It's unfair and more than a bit malicious...I get it.
A return to the NFL will most certainly require you to take on the temporary role as a 'back-up'. You're not a vulture waiting for a teammate to get hurt but a realist who understands the business of professional sports. You did not make the rules. This is chess not checkers. The kings own the teams. They do not wear the jerseys. Therefore by definition all others (specifically those in jerseys) are and will forever be expendable.
This route of 'back-up' is nothing more than an exercise in humility. Sign your short term deal, wear the baseball cap, hold the clip board, learn the system, stay healthy and prepare. Then when your moment comes (and it most definitely will) seize the moment and change the tempo. Place the king in check. You've done it before.
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