The Anticlimactic Retirement of Jake Plummer

I didn't believe Jake Plummer when he said he was considering retiring. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was because I was looking forward to many more years of exciting, high-level Jake-the-Snake football... but I sort of doubt that.

But it really is true; Jake's walking away. Even yesterday, when I mentioned a potential future in the Peace Corps, I didn't believe it would really happen. It is. He said so himself on The Jake Plummer Foundation's website.

First, I want to thank my family and close friends for their loyal support all these fun-filled, roller-coaster years, Plummer said. Second, I owe all of my greatest achievements in football to the men who stood by my side as my teammates and coaches. Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future; I've got many rivers to cross."

Well, good for him, and I wish him all the best in his river-crossing adventures. I don't blame him for not wanting to spend the next few years bouncing around the league in a back-up role, each year listening to "Godammit, we signed Jake Plummer" reactions from the fans of every team with whom he signs. There might be better ways for Jake Plummer to spend his time.

Still, it feels like Jake Plummer's career should have come to an end with a little bit more drama... something like a 7-interception playoff game, or maybe punching Broncos owner Pat Bowlen in the stomach. It ends with a whimper, though, with unwanted competition from Jeff Garcia and a message on a website.

I feel cheated. This is your fault, Jay Cutler.

A Message From Jake [The Jake Plummer Foundation]