Ferguson Considering Retirement

Miami Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson told the Florida Sun-Sentinel today that he’s considering retirement. That retirement wouldn’t come till after the 2009-10 season thou and only if the Miami Dolphins don’t want him back. His reasons thou are what would surprise you.

“This could be it for me. If they don’t want me back then I’ll be done,” Ferguson, now 35, said. “I definitely have some more left in my tank, but I have to show that.”

Ferguson’s had a long productive NFL career spanning 11 seasons, soon to be 12. Pretty impressive for a 300 pound plus nose tackle who takes a beating week in, week out. Even so, Jason surprisingly says he experiences no pains, “no aches and pains in the morning.” Sounds good with how long he’s played we’ll see if he says the same when the pads are on.

So what are these reasons for retirement?

1.) He doesn’t want to overextend his stay. Most athletes want to play till they physically produce anymore. Ferguson wants to leave the game before that happens. He doesn’t want to become the aging vet whose kept out of practice a couple times per week. He doesn’t want to become the guy whose forced to sit out plays here and there, just to keep him healthy.

Seeing an athlete like that nowadays is rare and its refreshing to see one take that stance.

2.) The Sun-Sentinel even reports that Ferguson doesn’t care about the money anymore. He told them he’s set financially for life after football He just wants to play because he can perform. Once again its refreshing, this time because he’s not a player who will stick around for an extra pay day.

There is one thing Ferguson says scares him about retirement, and that’s his health. For us non-athletes we think what do you mean your health? Won’t you get hurt more on the field? Not the case with those big hogs in the trenches.

“When we’re done, we’re kicking our feet up relaxing, trying to let our body recover. But at the same time a lot of them make the mistake of eating. We can’t eat like we can do now when we’re coming here and running it off,” Ferguson said. “I’ve learned that’s something I’ve got to protect myself from. It’s the scariest thing I have in my life facing me.

A lot of this was brought on by his longtime coach Bill Parcells, who brought him an obituary last week of former NFL player, Pio Sagapolutele. A member of Parcells’ Super Bowl winning New England Patriots who passed away at the age of 39. Parcells wants Jason to take care of himself so he can have a long prosperous life when his playing days are over.

“I have two boys, and I’m trying to live as long as they do. I want to see my grandkids and all that,” Ferguson said, referring to Jason II, 7, and Jeno, who turns 2 in August. “I’ve got to make sure I’m around to see them.”

Jason, I’ll use the word refreshing one more time. It’s refreshing to see a player think about his family and his life after football. He’s thinking about his and their future, not how much longer he can be on the football field. Yea, if the Dolphins want him back he’ll play another year but at least he drew the line somewhere by saying If they don’t want me I’ll walk away.

What does this all mean for Miami thou?

The Dolphins defensive line is already very thin. There are no capable back-ups behind Ferguson so they’ll have to figure something out between now and 2010. Whether its the draft, free agency or bringing Jason back for one more year. They should also be very nervous about what will happen if Jason gets hurt early in camp or the season. Who will take over? For a team with such promise there’s a reason to worry.

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Tags: Jason Ferguson, Miami Dolphins, NFL