Daunte Culpepper, QB OAK News: Nine-year NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper announced his retirement Thursday via email, opting to end his career early rather than fight an uphill battle to regain NFL prominence. Culpepper had some amazing seasons with the Vikings before one-and-done campaigns with the Dolphins and the Raiders. His career derailed in 2005, his last with the Vikings, when he played poorly in the club's first seven games and then was knocked out for the season with a major knee injury that required extensive reconstruction. Analysis: Culpepper's career ended with 22,422 passing yards and 142 touchdown passes. The former UCF Knight was a Fantasy superstar in 2000 and 2004, amassing 72 touchdowns and over 8,600 yards in those seasons alone. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters now that he's retired. I'll look for a better link.
I think Culpepper misplayed his hand. If he had gone to teams in the Spring saying he'd be a backup, the guy would be employed now. But he said he wanted a chance to compete for the starter's position. At his age, injury history and lack of productivity lately, no one was going to take him seriously. So he pushed himself out of the possible market.
He shouldn't be. Lots of players lose their shot at the NFL because they are incredibly stupid. Mauriice Clarett, for instance. Chris Henry should be on that list. But even though what those guys did was INCREDIBLY STUPID, nobody in the history of the NFL is a bigger idiot than Daunte Culpepper. How absolutely stupid do you have to be to be a top-tier NFL quarterback and decide that you don't need an agent, that you can handle your own negotiations just fine? This putz signed his own ticket out of Minnesota and landed in a situation that even really good agents have a tough time navigating through; a veteran free agent coming off a serious injury. If he had a decent agent, that guy might have said, "Hey Daunte, now might not be the best time to push for a new contract." Later on, that same agent might have said, "Hey Daunte; you might want to sign with New Orleans instead of Miami" or maybe "Hey Daunte, we really need to fight to get minimal playing time in the wording of this contract" or "Hey Daunte, don't try really hard to get into Jacksonville, they're stocked at quarterback" or "Hey Daunte, the Oakland Raiders might not be the best team to spark your comeback with" or "Hey Daunte, don't be a schmuck and retire 'cause your feelings got hurt. Go back-up Aaron Rodgers for the veteran minimum and a guaranteed Number 2 spot. He'll get injured real soon." But no. Daunte Culpepper handles his own business negotiations. Worked out real well for him. Daunte Culpepper was a really good quarterback. He was a really bad businessman. The people he did business with were not. That's why you hire an agent.
I read where a number of clubs commented on this very fact. They looked negatively at Culpepper's attempt to be his own agent. But as an experienced vet, how much do you really need an agent ? If you have half a brain you should know what your market value is and what the NFL landscape is like - what teams need your services. How much do agents really help senior NFL players. I would assume not much at all but I guess this is a great example that they can. Maybe it's just having someone to give you some honest and direct feedback to keep you from making obvious blunders. For getting marketing deals, starting businesses, etc I can see the value of agents. But as far as NFL contracts, I have always been surprised that more vets didn't do their own negotiations. But after this fiasco I'm sure there won't be too many trying it.
Daunte Culpepper-QB- Raiders Sep. 4 - 11:49 am et Daunte Culpepper says he's retiring, effective immediately. He doesn't have an agent to talk him out of it. "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," Culpepper said in an emotional letter he sent to the media. If not for acts like this, Culpepper had a great chance to get a job eventually, especially if he hired representation. The 2004 MVP runner-up hasn't been the same since his 2005 knee injury, but he was competent enough in Oakland last season and is only 31. Source: Profootballtalk.com
screw this douche...turned down a gig at Pittsburgh and Green Bay as a back up. He had his chances, but his ego just kicked him in the ass
Very strong point that you made, and as a football player you are paid to play not negotiate contracts where you aren't familiar with the internal workings. It is like a guy that chooses to go with the eyeball test in buying a house instead of pay for an inspector and ends up stuck with a shitty house. There are times when it is not better to do things by yourself.
His ego is costing him not only a lot of money, but a chance to restart a failing career. This guy is a major fricken moron.
