Glen Coffee Retired Suddenly To Start a Ministry

Glen Coffee Retires Suddenly To Start a Ministry

Added on Aug 14, 2010 by Eric Galko in

NFL

In the NFL, one play, one tackle, or one cut can end your career. And to play in the NFL, you need to understand that possibility each and every day and realize that any day could be your last.

But losing the drive to out hit or out work your opponent in the game of football is another way to end your career. Almost the complete opposite as the repetitive Brett Favre saga, San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee, a 23 year old second year player, has decided to retire.

The feature backup for the 49ers behind Pro Bowl Frank Gore, Coffee was slated to be a 100 yard attempt back in the run heavy offense that coach Mike Singletary wants to use. However, Coffee went to team officials and especially his coach and told him the situation.

Coffee explained with his coach and later with the media that he truly found God while at Alabama, and he lost his desire then to complete his football career. Still, though, he followed through because it was expected of him and he didn’t have the courage to begin his life following his faith.

Now, he says, he does have that courage.

Coffee, who according to Micheal Robinson and Anthony Dixon, was a brother to the two other backup running backs, and he served as a good role model for the players. Coffee even worked so hard as to stay at 49ers facility all off-season and added 10 pounds of muscle while staying as explosive as he’s known for.

However, Coffee’s desire to join and eventually start his own ministry is something that was a very personal decision, one that he thought through thoroughly and one that he’ll have to live with for the rest of his career. And Coffee’s okay with that.

While the short term fantasy football fans that took him and some 49er fans will likely be outraged, I wish Coffee the best in this next huge phase of his life. It’s a big step, one that I’m sure frightens him even a little.

And now, instead of punishing linebackers each week, he’ll be working on making the world a better place.