Vinny Testaverde Set to Retire From NFL
December 30, 2007 by David Kindervater
Filed under Carolina Panthers
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Carolina Panthers QB Vinny Testaverde says he’s going to retire after today’s game against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He’s 44 years old and has just completed his 21st NFL season. It sounds like the logical thing to do (unless you’re Brett Favre), but can we believe him? He saved what was left of the Panthers’ season, starting five games and adding an additional 1,000 passing yards (almost) to his career stats. Not bad for his age. But his body wore down late in the season, and he was sidelined by back pain and a right Achilles tendon injury that kept him out of games and practices the past month. In an AP interview yesterday he said:
“I just feel like it’s time. Obviously at 44 it does get a little bit tougher as the weeks go by. I’m glad I’m able to do it on my own terms and walk away from the game not only healthy, but to experience some of the things I’ve been through.”
You know what? I don’t think he’s done. He may say he’s retiring, but when he’s had some offseason time to heal, another team will attempt to avail themselves of his services in an “emergency” or backup role and the competitor inside will take over. I think Vinny Testaverde will be back.
