Former Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing shocked the football world Wednesday when he announced his retirement from the league.
Cushing, who has been suspended multiple times for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy, posted multiple photos of himself playing for the Texans on Instagram to announce his abrupt retirement.
He wrote:
For some reason you always think this day will never come. You wish you could play forever and never have to worry about not wearing that jersey again. Anyone who says that “it’s just a game,” is full of shit. This is my lifestyle, my profession, my heart and soul. There wasn’t a day in 9 years I didn’t thank God for allowing me to compete as a Texan. You can say a lot of things about me, but I left it all out there every single Sunday. I would do anything to try and be out there for the fans and my teammates. It’s the ultimate team game where you have to love and trust all 11 guys on the field that their intention is to win and not let each other down. Thank you Houston for embracing me like a son from day 1. From getting married here to having both our boys born here. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to experience both of those life changing moments. It was the toughest yet best 9 years of my life. Thank you to the Mcnair family for drafting me here and changing my life forever. I could not have asked for better ownership, a family that truly cares about their players. Thank you to Rick Smith and Coach Kubiak for originally bringing me here and helping me grow up both on and off the field. Thank you Coach O’Brien and Brian Gaine for allowing me to continue to live out my dream. I apologize I wasn’t able to bring a super bowl to Houston, but I can tell you they are not far off. Once again thank you for an incredible 9 years and memories that will last a lifetime.
What a wild situation for the Texans and Cushing. You almost have to wonder if he stopped playing football because he had just lost a love for the game after multiple suspensions and being cut from the Texans.
The Texans defense was absolutely nasty when J.J. Watt and Cushing were on the field together. There wasn’t an offense in the entire league that wanted to be on the field against Houston.
It really makes you wonder what could have gone differently if Cushing hadn’t ever been suspended. He was one of the most physically gifted players the NFL has seen in the past decade, but it just didn’t work out. There are far too many “what if” stories about professional athletes, and Cushing just joined the list.