BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT (TICKER) -- Quarterback Elvis Grbac plans to retire
rather than play for a team other than the Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN reported Monday that Grbac has decided to end his career after nine
seasons rather than ask his wife and three children to move to another city.
The decision comes three days after the Ravens opted against picking up the
$6 million bonus on Grbac's contract, making the Super Bowl-winning
quarterback an unrestricted free agent.
The Ravens had until Friday to pick up the option, which would have
extended Grbac's contract through 2005, but were strapped under the
salary cap and needed the quarterback to accept a new deal.
Jim Steiner, Grbac's agent, told ESPN that he negotiated with the Cincinnati
Bengals on Saturday and that Cincinnati offered more than $3.5 million, but
it was not enough to continue his career.
Grbac, 31, was signed to a five-year, $30 million contract last March after
Billick refused to offer a deal to Trent Dilfer, who won 11 straight starts en
route to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV.
Although coach Brian Billick steadfastly defended Grbac, the move
backfired as the Ravens lost in the divisional playoffs to Pittsburgh and
Grbac threw for just 15 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.
Originally posted by Super Shane SpearThe decision comes three days after the Ravens opted against picking up the $6 million bonus on Grbac's contract, making the Super Bowl-winning quarterback an unrestricted free agent.
Grbac threw one (incomplete) pass after MVP Steve Young had thrown six touchdowns and put Super Bowl XXIX *way* out of reach for the Chargers.
So...how can Grbac be considered a "Super Bowl-winning quarterback"? Just because he was there to throw a single pass as a third-string quarterback for the winning team in a blowout game?
Steph
I'm going twenty-four hours a day...I can't seem to stop - "Turn Up The Radio", Autograph
i don't believe this will be a permanent retirement. considering his only starting options were taking a $5 million paycut and stay with the ravens or sign with the bungles, i don't blame him one bit for retiring. if there was an injured qb on a good team next season, i wouldn't be surprised if elvis re-appears...or for that matter, if a starting qb job opens up the year after, either.
60 watts? what do you think this is, a tanning salon?
Why doesnt Grbac just say whats on his mind and say he doesnt want to commit to anyone right now? Nobody believes hes retired for real, he just wants to see what his options might be five months from now when training camp starts. Him saying hes retired just insults my intelligence. On the ither hand I can understand why he feels a little burned by Baltimore. I thought he got hung out to dry there. I think he got used as a scapegoat when the offense couldnt move the ball. The Ravens offensive problems went past him. But Shannon Sharpe embarassed him publicly and turned the team and the fans against him I think. Just my opinion...
Okay, I think we all feel a little cynical when it comes to pro athletes, but maybe we could give Elvis the benefit of the doubt?
He made how much money over the last few years? I would guess he is a millionaire many times over. Maybe he truly doesn't want to move to another city.
Back in 1989, the Calgary Flames' Hakan Loob turned down big bucks and retired to Sweden with his family, so his kids could go to school in their homeland. There must be other precidents.
Oh, who am I kidding. This is just a ploy to squeeze another million out of the Bengels.
Past hills of chambermaids' dark bare arms and fields of muscles quilted to the bone, Right now I'm flying over, yeah right now I'm flying home.
Uh, Oklahoma is # 2 and Texas # 4 in the BCS. Given the fact that the human polls are 2/3 of the forumla, this was pretty much a given. Incidentally, I think Utah has a bigger beef than Cal because Utah is undefeated with a good non-conference schedule.