Brandon Moore explains his decision to retire

[WoodysGirl]

By Brandon Moore

I was watching TV with my wife, winding down, about to lay down in bed on Monday, Aug. 5 when I saw my phone go off around 11:30, and I saw the text.

“Would you be interested in coming and playing for the Cowboys?”

It was from my old coach, Bill Callahan. My first thought: Wow!

Back in March, I was excited for free agency. After 10 seasons with the Jets, my contract was up, and I guess I wasn’t in their plans. But I was ready to give it some more. I felt like I had some more. Teams contacted us, but they weren’t serious. Nobody was beating down the door. As the months went by, my life had to go on. Before I got the text, my worst fear was that I would be settled down, ready to move on and then somebody would come calling in the middle of training camp. I didn’t want to be put in that position, to have to make that hasty decision.

Read the rest: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/14/brandon-moore-retirement/

 

[CowboyStar88]

I respect him for it but I also wonder if he will regret it.

 

[IAmLegend]

Interesting. He seems like an enlightening and insightful guy. If he thinks his body isn't up for the grind of a grueling NFL season, as well the the mentally taxing toll it takes, who are we to judge? Sounds like he made the right decision for himself.

 

[dogunwo]

Good read actually.

 

[Future]

Really great read. Hard to blame him one bit for pulling back.

 

[Idgit]

My mindset was that if an ideal situation came along, or if something very, very intriguing came along, I would consider it. But it’s easy to say that until it happens, which is what occurred with Dallas.

I knew if I played this season, it would have to be for a contender. I entered the NFL wanting to be the best football player I could be, to contribute along with the guys around me, to win a lot of ball games and to win some championships. That’s why I played, and that’s what I was going to continue to play for. I didn’t want to go to just any team to be around football and pad my bank account. I wanted to go to a team with a great quarterback, stud receivers, a good offensive line, a solid defense—all things the Cowboys have. Plus, a coach I really care for, in Bill, and a great organization with a well-respected history. They had the team to make me consider not retiring.


http://mmqb.si.com/2013/08/14/brandon-moore-retirement/

Interesting, both for the insight into Brandon Moore's decision, and because a similar set of considerations is facing Brian Waters right now.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I don't get it. So he says the only way he would un-retire is if a team like the Cowboys gave him a call. Then he retired anyway...

 

[Lonestar94]

I don't get it. So he says the only way he would un-retire is if a team like the Cowboys gave him a call. Then he retired anyway...

"Tuesday night, around midnight, we agreed to a deal with the Cowboys. Afterward, I didn’t really sleep. I’d doze off, but wake up every 30 minutes or so. I just had a sick feeling, that nauseous feeling. I kept wrestling back and forth, wondering if I had made the right decision.

You look at the clock and realize that if you’re going to go through with this, you’re going to have to leave for the airport in a few hours. The scenario I wanted to avoid was getting to Oxnard, Calif., where the Cowboys were in camp, and thinking as I put my pads on, What the hell am I doing here? I kept asking myself if that would happen.

By 5 a.m., I still wasn’t 100% sure I wouldn’t have regrets about going. But I knew I wouldn’t have any regrets about staying. That’s when my answer turned to “no.” My wife asked me the same question I’d been asking myself: “You sure about that? I don’t want you to have any regrets.” I told her I wouldn’t.

When I went to call my agent and Bill, I had another sick feeling, sort of like being called to the principal’s office. It was a nervousness in my gut that I hadn’t had in a long time. Everyone had gone to sleep last night believing the Cowboys had a new guard. This was a big-boy decision, kind of going back on your word, which is something I take very seriously.

I called Bill around 8 that morning, or about 5 in California, and I told him, “I can’t go through with the deal, and I wanted you to be the first person to know.”

 

[gdogg24]

I get it he didn't think a team like that would actually call him to play. He was always hoping that he could use the excuse of he couldn't find the right situation as the reason he retired but when he got it he had to admit it clean and simple that his heart wasn't in the game anymore.

 

[Stash]

I keep thinking that if the Cowboys hadn't waited so long that he would have signed and played this year.

 

[Fredd]

ugh, he sounds like he just stepped off of the fence...this is a shame...I still say bring ALL of his support system to Dallas (wife, daughter, in-laws, cousins, gardener, etc.)...wait until they are out of California (of course)...then, once you get him in pads, dial up Waters to see if he wants to compete for a spot (who knows if Leary is going to play)

 

[Ultra Warrior]

Rather he QUIT before he got here, than QUIT while on the field. He made the right decision by not having us put a Quitter on the field.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Oh well. Move on.

 

[TheCount]

I don't get it. So he says the only way he would un-retire is if a team like the Cowboys gave him a call. Then he retired anyway...

You probably don't get it because you didn't actually read the article.

It's a shame about Moore, but he had a pretty good NFL career. Nothing to be ashamed of. As a man who takes his word very seriously, making that call must have been brutal.

 

[Phoenix]

I admire his honesty. And hey, follow your heart. He did; nothing wrong with that.

 

[Nation]

Would have liked to have him here, but oh well. We just spent a lot of money on locking up Tony Romo and I don't want anyone protecting him whose heart isn't totally in it.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Fascinating stuff. Sometimes the big uglies don't get enough credit for how smart they are. Lineman are supposed to be big oafs, right? Not this guy. I know a lot of people that make a living from being smart that are less thoughtful and articulate than Brandon Moore showed himself to be in this piece. Thanks for posting, Idgit.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Fascinating stuff. Sometimes the big uglies don't get enough credit for how smart they are. Lineman are supposed to be big oafs, right? Not this guy. I know a lot of people that make a living from being smart that are less thoughtful and articulate than Brandon Moore showed himself to be in this piece. Thanks for posting, Idgit.

Turns out I'm the Idgit. Sorry WG. Not sure why I'm giving others credit for your efforts.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Turns out I'm the Idgit. Sorry WG. Not sure why I'm giving others credit for your efforts.

Both Idgit and I posted the same article. I merged the two threads together and confused you in the process. lol

 

[DogFace]

I keep thinking that if the Cowboys hadn't waited so long that he would have signed and played this year.

You're probably right