By: Tyler Ward
The San Francisco 49ers announced Friday that second-year running back Glen Coffee has suddenly retired from the NFL - Coffee said he simply just doesn't want to play football anymore. The former Alabama running back said in a statement Friday, "This has been a tough decision for me to make, but at this time in my life I feel it is best for me that I move on from football. I appreciate what the 49ers, my teammates and coaches have done for me, and I wish them a blessed season and all the best in the future."
Coffee's abrupt retirement has surprised everyone throughout the NFL, including head coach Mike Singletary. "We just respond to this and move forward. We're dealing with this in stride and continuing to have our best practice," Singletary said. "The thing that we're trying to do as the 49ers is that we're trying to find 53 men that love the game of football."
Other than the statement, Coffee really gave no rhyme or reason as to why he made the decision. He hasn't had a history of injuries and hasn't lost favor with coaches and their staffs. So, it comes as a shock to see Coffee retire at the young age of 23. Hell, I'm not even 23..but anyway. It's a shame to see the running back walk away from the game and since he went to Alabama, it makes me even more bitter.
Like I said, he's 23 - that means a player would have many more years in the NFL, excluding injuries and illnesses. He was second on the depth chart, backing up Pro Bowler Frank Gore. The 49ers only had two other running backs on their roster, once-upon-a-time quarterback Michael Robinson and rookie Anthony Dixon. So, this immediately puts the 49ers in a bind. It is unclear if they will pursue another running back in free agency - Brian Westbrook, Kevin Jones, Ladell Betts, and LaMont Jordan could be options. The Redskins apparently have pondered the idea of cutting ties with newly-acquired Willie Parker, so that could also be an option for San Francisco.
The running back spent his college days at the University of Alabama (2005-08). He played sparingly as a freshman, but received more playing time his final two years. In his junior season, Coffee was potentially a Heisman candidate, leading the Crimson Tide to an undefeated regular season (however, they lost in the SEC Title Game to Florida and in the Sugar Bowl against Utah). Additionally, he finished the season with 233 carries for 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coffee was taken 74th overall by the 49ers in the 2009 NFL draft. He was second on the team last year in rushing, carrying the ball 83 times for 226 yards and one touchdown.Coffee's decision has capped off an already-horrendous week for the 49ers. Defensive End Kentwan Balmer has been AWOL since Monday - he has missed five straight practices. Balmer was the team's first round pick in 2008 and it is uncertain when or if Balmer returns to the team at some point. He was chosen out of North Carolina with the 29th pick and has only registered 19 total tackles in his two pro seasons.
Glen Coffee highlight video:
(Courtesy of Ambassador13)
