Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

RichardBak wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:18 pm I think the Gronk got zonked one too many times.

LOL.

Dick Vermeil might be an example of this from a coaching standpoint. He left Philadelphia because of being "burned out." He came back and won the SB. I'm not sure if Vermeil intended to return when he left Philadelphia.

On the other side of the coin is the saga of Le'Veon Bell, who in 2018, refused to play on the franchise tag and walked away from the Steelers after three All-Pro seasons. He refused the Steelers contract offer and held out despite a 14.5 million dollar franchise tag offer that would have jumped to 25 million in 2019 had the Steelers not let him hit free agency.

He signed a big contract with the Jets in 2019 but realized quickly that his tippy-toe, patient approach to running couldnt work behind an inferior Jets line. His career was basically done after 2020.

Had he kept playing for the Steelers, he would have a much better career but rightly felt that overuse needed more compensation but how many backs would be happy with 14 million a year in 2025?
His holdout is one of the reasons why teams dont look favorably upon veteran backs, when younger ones are so much cheaper.

Reggie White retired after the 1998 season but came back to play for Carolina in 2000.

And, of course, there was Frank Gifford, who retired after the famous Bednarik hit. Formerly a running back (halfback) he came back as a wide receiver (flanker) after a year away.

John Riggins held out for the whole 1980 season but returned in 1981 saying, "I'm bored, I'm broke, I'm back." I don't know if the layoff helped him, but I think it's fair to say it was the years after his sabbatical that put him in the Hall of Fame.

Has anyone mentioned Bronko Nagurski?

JeffreyMiller wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 8:16 pm Has anyone mentioned Bronko Nagurski?

In the movie "Hearts In Atlantis" there is a wonderful scene about Naguski's comeback ...

link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipim87VPWE

JeffreyMiller wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 8:16 pm Has anyone mentioned Bronko Nagurski?

Then Bronko came to the U of Minnesota varsity-alumni game in 1959 at the age of 49 to punish the varesity defense on the opening drive. The equipment manager had no helmet large enough fro Nagurski, until he found an old leather one that he had to stretch to fit.

Red Grange retired in 1928, after suffering a severe knee injury with the New York Yankees in 1927. The knee injury affected his ability to cut, and he lost considerable speed. George Halas offered him a contract for 1929, and Grange accepted. He proved to be a superb defensive back, and an above average runner.

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 pm

JeffreyMiller wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 8:16 pm Has anyone mentioned Bronko Nagurski?

In the movie "Hearts In Atlantis" there is a wonderful scene about Naguski's comeback ...

link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipim87VPWE

Nice ... even better because of Hopkins' British accent ...