1. #1
    Eduardo23
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    Top Five NFL Players That Retired Young

    In this article, we rank great NFL stars who retired in the prime of their careers. From Lions legend Barry Sanders to Luke Kuechly, who announced his retirement in January after just eight seasons in the league.
    Read more here.

  2. #2
    shadymcgrady
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    Why isn't Patrick Willis listed?

  3. #3
    MinnesotaFats
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    Good list

    Noone ever brings up this guy...who walked away after his best season

    Can you name him....


  4. #4
    RavensFan2k3
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    Quote Originally Posted by MinnesotaFats View Post
    Good list

    Noone ever brings up this guy...who walked away after his best season

    Can you name him....

    That has to be Robert Smith given the years

  5. #5
    Kermit
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    Quote Originally Posted by RavensFan2k3 View Post
    That has to be Robert Smith given the years
    Yep. Retired after having the best season of his career. I think he was still in his 20's when he called it quit.

  6. #6
    JIBBBY
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    Smart guys probably and all rich today after walking away from football, they all are walking without a limp or severe frontal lobe brain damage today.. That's playing it safe!!

    Personally I would have stayed in the game if I loved the sport and set more NFL records and really try to get my name into that NFL hall of fame..

    With risk comes reward!! You only live once. Just my opinion.

  7. #7
    Brock Landers
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    Jim brown
    Barry Sanders
    Andrew luck
    Robert Smith

  8. #8
    cincinnatikid513
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    vince young

  9. #9
    2daBank
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    Quote Originally Posted by JIBBBY View Post
    Smart guys probably and all rich today after walking away from football, they all are walking without a limp or severe frontal lobe brain damage today.. That's playing it safe!!

    Personally I would have stayed in the game if I loved the sport and set more NFL records and really try to get my name into that NFL hall of fame..

    With risk comes reward!! You only live once. Just my opinion.
    penetrate that, I rather my one life be full of me enjoying myself with the millions I made in my 20s. Why in gods name should they play until their bodies broken down and brains scrambled? No amount of money or records makes ya feel better when you wake up every morning and can’t make it to the pisser, if they can even remember where the damn thing is! Get in, get past your rookie deal, get yourself one fat contract and get the penetrate out!! Unless you playing qb in this era where you don’t have to worry about getting clocked on every play! In that case sure, play till you 50 and still walk away in great condition!

  10. #10
    JIBBBY
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2daBank View Post
    penetrate that, I rather my one life be full of me enjoying myself with the millions I made in my 20s. Why in gods name should they play until their bodies broken down and brains scrambled? No amount of money or records makes ya feel better when you wake up every morning and can’t make it to the pisser, if they can even remember where the damn thing is! Get in, get past your rookie deal, get yourself one fat contract and get the penetrate out!! Unless you playing qb in this era where you don’t have to worry about getting clocked on every play! In that case sure, play till you 50 and still walk away in great condition!
    Same could be said for Boxers.. You love the sport you love the sport. If you just play to make a few bucks then play and get out..

    It's a personal decision. I'm not hating on it.. Just calling it for what it is Bankers.. It's tough on fans and the City when your star player suddenly retires young.. That's all...

    I think Barry Sanders for Detroit was the biggest bow out.. Well Michael Jordan leaving the NBA in his prime was even more shocking.. He came back though..
    Last edited by JIBBBY; 06-30-20 at 05:00 PM.

  11. #11
    DoctorStrong
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    Rodney Hampton

  12. #12
    cybersharp
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    Jim Brown. Retired at 29 while at his career zenith, so that he could bang
    Raquel Welch in "100 Rifles". And star in a whole bunch of other films.
    Dirty Dozen, Dark of the Sun, etc.

    Barry Sanders wasn't actually at his career peak when he retired at age 30,
    but he was close. Got pissed at the Lions because they made him pay back
    a few million in bonus money he'd gotten, since he retired WAAAYY early.

  13. #13
    Goat Milk
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    Barry, Calvin Johnson, Andrew Luck. 2/3 are lions.

  14. #14
    Shute
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    Only 1 player
    Barry Sanders

  15. #15
    Otters27
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    I drafted Robert Smith in fantasy and all my friends laughed at me because he was retired

  16. #16
    Goat Milk
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shute View Post
    Only 1 player
    Barry Sanders
    Calvin Johnson? Guy had like 83 touchdowns in 9 years I think. For context, I think Julio Jones has like 57 in same amount of years, in era where there's even more scoring.

    Calvin and Barry Sanders are two of the greatest ever at their positions. Calvin had a good 3 years left of pure dominance. Every CB used to say he was the biggest nightmare they'd ever faced.

  17. #17
    Mr KLC
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    Ryan Leaf
    Akili Smith
    Heath Shuler
    JaMarcus Russell
    Michael Sam

  18. #18
    DiggityDaggityDo
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    Good ones listed so far.

    Let's add:

    Bo Jackson


    Honorable mention:

    Pat Tillman

  19. #19
    Eddy Munny
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    Tim Couch

  20. #20
    BigJay
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    Terrell Davis
    Last edited by BigJay; 06-30-20 at 10:33 PM.

  21. #21
    Mike Huntertz
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    Quote Originally Posted by JIBBBY View Post
    Same could be said for Boxers.. You love the sport you love the sport. If you just play to make a few bucks then play and get out..

    It's a personal decision. I'm not hating on it.. Just calling it for what it is Bankers.. It's tough on fans and the City when your star player suddenly retires young.. That's all...

    I think Barry Sanders for Detroit was the biggest bow out.. Well Michael Jordan leaving the NBA in his prime was even more shocking.. He came back though..
    He was asked to leave or face some legal items....gambling? Just my guess.

  22. #22
    DrunkHorseplayer
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    Merrill Hoge.

  23. #23
    Bcatswin
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr KLC View Post
    Ryan Leaf
    Akili Smith
    Heath Shuler
    JaMarcus Russell
    Michael Sam
    Hilarious

  24. #24
    Bcatswin
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    Sean Taylor if not passed away. RIP. Mad way to go out. I know that wasn't the question

  25. #25
    Eddy Munny
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    Tim Tebow

  26. #26
    MinnesotaFats
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    We forgot a great tackle, Boselli

    ...and Gronk, thou hes back now maybe

  27. #27
    JAKEPEAVY21
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    What came to mind immediately were:

    Barry Sanders
    Jim Brown
    Andrew Luck
    Patrick Willis

  28. #28
    HockeyRocks
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    Billy Sims
    Ickey Woods
    Tony Boselli

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