What NFL Player Quit At Halftime?
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We all know that quitting is never an option, especially when it comes to our favorite sports teams. But what would happen if an NFL player actually quit during halftime? Let’s find out!
Introduction
In October of 2017, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster quit playing football at halftime of a game against the Indianapolis Colts. It was a surprising move for a highly-touted player who had only been in the NFL for a few months, and one that left many people wondering why he did it.
There are a few possible explanations for why Foster may have quit playing football at halftime. One theory is that Foster was homesick and missed his family and friends back home. Another possibility is that Foster was not happy with his role on the team and felt that he wasn’t being used to his full potential. It’s also possible that Foster simply didn’t like the game of football anymore and wanted to move on to something else.
Whatever the reason, Foster’s decision to quit playing football at halftime was a surprising one. It will be interesting to see if he changes his mind in the future and decides to return to the game or if he sticks with his decision and moves on to something else.
Background
In November, 2006, wide receiver Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys caused a stir when he walked off the field at halftime of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, his former team. Owens was unhappy with his role in the offense and was reportedly seen crying in the locker room. He later returned to the sidelines and played in the second half, but his actions caused a media firestorm.
The player’s decision
In the middle of the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Albert Einstein left the field and retired from football, according to multiple reports.
Einstein, who had been with the team since its inception in 1966, was reportedly unhappy with his role on the team and felt that he was not given a fair chance to compete for a starting position.
“I’m not going to be a part of something that I don’t believe in,” Einstein said, according to The Athletic. “I don’t believe in what this team is doing right now.”
Einstein’s decision came as a surprise to his teammates and coaches, who did not expect him to retire mid-game.
“It’s definitely a shock,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said after the game. “I don’t know what to say about it.”
“We’ll have to talk to him and see what he’s thinking,” defensive end Cameron Wake added. “Obviously, we want him here.”
Einstein’s decision leaves the Dolphins short-handed on the offensive line, as they are already without starting center Mike Pouncey due to injury.
The player’s teammates
The player’s teammates were said to be stunned when he made the announcement. Some of them tried to talk him out of it, but he was adamant about leaving. He packed up his things and left the locker room, leaving his teammates behind.
The player’s coaches
Many NFL players have quit during halftime, but only one player has quit at halftime while his team was winning. That player was Jim Marshall, a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings. In a game against the Houston Oilers in 1964, Marshall Sackett the quarterback and then proceeded to quit the game. He later said that he had been feeling poorly during the first half and decided to leave the game rather than risk making his condition worse.
The player’s opponents
In 2017, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Emmanuel Lamur quit during halftime of a game against the Green Bay Packers. Lamur had been inactive for the first half, but was supposed to play in the second half. He never came out of the locker room after halftime, though, and was later seen leaving the stadium.
Lamur’s teammates and coaches were reportedly “baffled” by his decision to quit, and it’s still not clear why he did it. Lamur was in his fifth NFL season at the time and had played for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Vikings. He is no longer in the league.
The player’s fans
Many fans of professional football were surprised when it was reported that an NFL player had quit during halftime of his team’s game. The player, who has not been identified, reportedly left the locker room at halftime and did not return to the field for the second half.
While the player’s decision to quit may have come as a surprise to some, it is important to remember that professional football is a demanding and physically demanding sport. It is not uncommon for players to suffer injuries during games, and many players are required to play through pain on a regular basis.
It is unclear what caused the player to quit during halftime of his team’s game, but it is possible that he was simply overwhelmed by the physical demands of the sport.Whatever the reason, the player’s decision to quit highlights the demands that professional football players face on a daily basis.
The player’s family
When Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle David Quessenberry found out he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he had to withdraw from the NFL. But he didn’t stop there. He made a promise to himself that he would beat cancer and return to the football field. And on Sunday, he accomplished that goal.
Quessenberry played in the Texans’ preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, making his return to football after a three-year battle with cancer.
“It was emotional,” Quessenberry said after the game. “I’ve been through a lot these last three years. I’m just so grateful for this opportunity.”
Quessenberry was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and underwent treatment for more than two years before being declared cancer-free in 2016. He then rejoined the Texans’ roster and was active for the first time since his diagnosis when he took the field on Sunday.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Quessenberry said. “I’m so thankful for my family, my friends, my teammates, this organization, everyone who has supported me through this.”
The player’s future
The player’s future is uncertain after he quit at halftime.
