Most people were shocked when 2nd year San Francisco 49ers running back abruptly retired.
He is only 23 years old, he had a decent rookie season and his spot seemed secure on the team as a back up to Frank Gore.
A lot of people wondered:
“How could he do this? He has to be crazy? Doesn’t he appreciate the opportunity he was given?”
What they fail to realized is that football is just a game and some people have a higher calling. Coffee appears to be one of those guys. Here are the details from Profootballtalk.com.
“Actually when I look back I feel I never should have entered the draft in the first place,” Coffee said. “Football was no longer my dream. I found Christ in college. It changed my views on everything. But I still was a football player because it was expected of me, it was something I did all my life. I was basically wasting the [49ers’] time.”
Coffee will re-enroll at Alabama to get his degree, then intends to pursue a master’s degree. He said he forced football, but that Christ told him to walk away a long time ago. He finally listened and won’t look back.
“No, man. I’ve already told Christ it’s time to go. I’ve already rung the bell. That’s not going to happen.”
I wish him well.
There are many people in this world that do things because it is expected of them, so I applaud anyone who stands up and says my heart isn’t into I am going to do what will make me happy.
Good luck to Mr. Coffee.
I get the feeling he will effect many more lives with his new calling than he would with a football in his hand.