The undersized running back was the franchise player for the Jacksonville Jaguars
With teams gearing up to attempt to make some major deals with free agents, some players took the time out to think about their future other than football. For some, their time has come to give up the game they love playing and to focus on continuing to become a better man for their families. Today, superstar running back Maurice Jones-Drew has made that decision to hang up the cleats and to enjoy life as a retired NFL player after nine years of hard work, dedication and excellent service. The three time NFL Pro Bowl turned to Twitter to announced his decision to retire towards his fans.
All good things come to an end!!! pic.twitter.com/zl6EJQ5SAE
— Maurice Jones-Drew (@Jones_Drew32) March 5, 2015
The Oakland native became a phenomenal back ever since he suited up for UCLA. An all Pac-10 member in his junior year, Jones-Drew decided to forgo his senior year and entered the 2006 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars chose the talented back with the 60th overall pick (2nd round) and from there, Maurice rewrote the franchise record books. From 2006-2013, the 5’7 mighty mouse running back holds the franchise record for most career rushing touchdowns (63), most career kickoff return yards (2,054 yards), most rushing yards in a season (1,606 in 2011), and most rushing touchdowns in a season (15 in 2009). After a disappointing 2012 campaign that ended in him being placed on the season-ending injury reserve list, Maurice decided to test free agency and decided to suit up for the Oakland Raiders. During his brief tenure at Oakland, Jones-Drew wasn’t touching the pigskin as much as he was in Jacksonville, averaging just only 2.2 yards per carry on 43 rushing attempts.
Maurice Jones-Drew retires as the @jaguars all-time leader in rushing TDs and second all-time in rushing yards. pic.twitter.com/47aKS2Zro6 — NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) March 5, 2015
After the public got word of this announcement, Jaguar head coach Gus Bradley expressed his gratitude of Maurice leaving the game as well as the impact he had on the fans in Jacksonville via Twitter.
Statement from #Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley on @Jones_Drew32: pic.twitter.com/amh4ysxm5f
— Tad Dickman (@Tdickman89) March 5, 2015
Jones-Drew finishes his NFL career with 8,167 rushing yards with 68 touchdowns, along with 346 receptions for 2,944 yards and an additional 11 touchdowns he caught being thrown his way. With the retirement of Jones-Drew, Oakland would be able to receive $2.5 million dollars in additional cap room. But the real winner of the deal is Maurice Jones-Drew, as he was able to capture the sports world with this unexpected announcement. This running back brought nothing but intensity and an never die attitude even when his squad was struggling. The heart and pride of Jacksonville, Maurice’s play will forever live on in the sunshine state. A huge congratulations and much respect goes out to one of the shortest players in the game with the biggest heart of them all. #32 will forever live on in Jaguar land.
Omari White
When Omari White is not lighting it up from 3 point land at your local gym, he is on Twitter joking around, talking about sports, music and life. Go follow him (@SmooveGuyO) and check his timeline out.
