NFL Hall of Famers Who Played Too Long
Emmitt Smith played 15 seasons in the NFL.For every Jerome Bettis, John Elway and Michael Strahan who goes out on top, dozens of NFL geezers can never say goodbye, no, no, no, no. But that’s what Michael Jackson said. Because when that dreaded retirement day finally does come — poof! — it’s all gone forever. The competition. The camaraderie. The adulation. The accolades. The perks. The big prize.
Oh, yeah, the money, too.
These Hall of Famers played beyond their usefulness, ruined the backs of their football cards, further abused their bodies and in many cases tarnished their legacies.
25. Art Monk
Art Monk caught 940 passes in his career.Position: Wide receiver
Career: 1980-95 (16 seasons)
Teams: Washington Redskins (1980-93), New York Jets (1994), Philadelphia Eagles (1995)
Hall of Fame: 2008
Art Monk Stats
Art Monk won two Super Bowls with the Redskins.Key stats: 224 G, 940 REC, 68 TD
First-team All-Pro: 1 (1984)
Pro Bowls: 3 (1984-86)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1987, 1991)
Bottom Line: Art Monk
Art Monk played one season with the Jets.This guy had it all — respect, Super Bowls, stats, records, money and business interests.
In a perfect world, the 37-year-old would have retired in burgundy and gold, but he decided to be the third wheel with a crummy Jets team instead.
"There’s nothing that can replace it," he would say later. "I miss all of it. I miss being sore on Monday morning."
24. Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens caught 1,078 passes in his career.Position: Wide receiver
Career: 1996-2010 (15 seasons)
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), Dallas Cowboys (2006-08), Buffalo Bills (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2010)
Hall of Fame: 2018
Terrell Owens Stats
Terrell Owens wasn't the most popular teammate in NFL history.Key stats: 219 G, 1078 REC, 153 TD
First-Team All-Pro: 5 (2000-02, 2004, 2007)
Pro Bowls: 6 (2000-04, 2007)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens scored 153 touchdowns in his NFL career.This pain in the posterior, er, Hall of Famer lacked only a Super Bowl ring in his bling box, but at what point does a has-been concede that it ain’t gonna happen?
In this case, when you’re a 37-year-old with the 4-12 Bengals of all teams. Rather than pad his stats, T.O. should have called a T.O. two years earlier.
23. Ray Guy
Ray Guy played his whole career with the Raiders.Position: Punter
Career: 1973-86 (14 seasons)
Teams: Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Hall of Fame: 2014
Ray Guy Stats
Ray Guy was a first-round pick (23rd overall) in the 1973 draft.Key stats: 207 G, 1,049 P, 42.4 YD/P
First-team All-Pro: 6 (1973-78)
Pro Bowls: 7 (1973-78, 1980)
Super Bowl championships: 3 (1976, 1980, 1983)
Bottom Line: Ray Guy
Ray Guy was the first pure punter inducted into the Hall of Fame.This former first-rounder was a master of hang time, but hang-‘em-up time, not so much.
Ray Guy failed to reach his career average in four of his final five seasons and even dropped below the 40.0-yard mark in one of them.
22. Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson never played in a Super Bowl.Position: Running back
Career: 1983-93 (11 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1983-87), Indianapolis Colts (1987-91), Los Angeles Raiders (1992), Atlanta Falcons (1993)
Hall of Fame: 1999
Eric Dickerson Stats
Eric Dickerson was a six-time Pro Bowler.Key stats: 146 G, 15,396 YSCM (yards from scrimmage), 96 TD
First-team All-Pro: 5 (1983-84, 1986-88)
Pro Bowls: 6 (1983-84, 1986-89)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson rushed for 13,259 yards.The Big Three-Oh has been the point of no return for many a running back. Meet Exhibit A.
After a 1,311-yard season at age 29, ol’ goggle-eyes ran into a brick wall. No. matter. Mr. Benny chased the money until the Falcons waived him four years later.
"They told me I could announce my retirement if I wanted," Eric Dickerson said at the time. I believe that qualifies as a hint.
21. Paul Krause
Paul Krause, No. 22, made a lot of tackles.Position: Safety
Career: 1964-79 (16 seasons)
Teams: Washington Redskins (1964-1967), Minnesota Vikings (1968-79)
Hall of Fame: 1998
Paul Krause Stats
Paul Krause played in 226 NFL games.Key stats: 226 G, 81 INT, 19 FR
First-team All-Pro: 3 (1964-65, 1975)
Pro Bowls: 8 (1964-65, 1969, 1971-75)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Paul Krause
Paul Krause, right, was a three-time All-Pro.His 1975 season was among the most remarkable (and most overlooked) by a 33-year-old at any position. Then the free-fall off Eagle Mountain began in earnest.
Paul Krause stayed four more seasons with a Vikings defense that also had seen better days.
20. Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas was a second-round pick (40th overall) out of Oklahoma State in 1988.Position: Running back
Career: 1988-2000 (13 seasons)
Teams: Buffalo Bills 1988-99), Miami Dolphins (2000)
Hall of Fame: 2007
Thurman Thomas Stats
Thurman Thomas scored 88 touchdowns in his career.Key stats: 182G, 16,532 YSCM, 88 TD
First-team All-Pro: 2 (1990-91)
Pro Bowls: 5 (1989-93)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas played one season with the Dolphins.This twin threat turned 30 before the 1996 season but still eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the final time.
From that point on, Thurman Thomas' career went down, down, down, down in pursuit of the Super Bowl prize.
The 34-year-old was a shell of his former self when he finally retired as a Dolphin four years later.
19. Elvin Bethea
Elvin Bethea played his whole career with the Houston Oilers.Position: Defensive end
Career: 1968-83 (16 seasons)
Teams: Houston Oilers
Hall of Fame: 2003
Elvin Bethea Stats
Elvin Bethea put the hurt on many opponents.Key stats: 210 G, 16 FR, sacks not available
First-team All-Pro: None
Pro Bowls: 8 (1969, 1971-75, 1978-79)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Elvin Bethea
Elvin Bethea, No. 65, was an eight-time Pro Bowler.In his final four seasons, this edge rusher went from a Pro Bowler with a wild-card team to an average starter with a non-contender to a 37-year-old reserve with a really, really bad team in need of fresh blood.
See, when the bar is so low and the money so easy, it’s difficult to walk out the door.
18. Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler won one Super Bowl with the Raiders.Position: Quarterback
Career: 1970-84 (15 seasons)
Teams: Oakland Raiders (1970-79), Houston Oilers (1980-81), New Orleans Saints (1982-84)
Hall of Fame: 2016
Ken Stabler Stats
Ken Stabler was a two-time All-Pro.Key stats: 184 G, 27,938 YDS, 194 TD
First-team All-Pro: 2 (1974, 1976)
Pro Bowls: 4 (1973-74, 1976-77)
Super Bowl championships: 1 (1976)
Bottom Line: Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler went 11-11 as a starter with the Saints to close his NFL career.This late-night terror was done at 36 years old. (That’s 54, according to the Kenny Stabler Quarterback Exchange Rate.)
But he left H-town to reunite with coach Bum Phillips in New Orleans, where the Aints won 19 games in their three seasons together.
"Snake" Stabler in N’awlins was like Attila the Hun at a Roman meat market.
17. Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders started his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons.Position: Cornerback, punt returner
Career: 1989-2000, 2004-05 (14 seasons)
Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1989-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-1999), Washington Redskins (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)
Hall of Fame: 2011
Deion Sanders Stats
Deion Sanders had 53 career interceptions.Key stats: 188 G, 53 INT, 13 FR
First-team All-Pro: 6 (1992-94, 1996-98)
Pro Bowls: 8 (1991-94, 1996-99)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1994, 1995)
Bottom Line: Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders won two Super Bowl rings.The 33-year-old retired after one above-average season in a Washington Redskins uni. Deion Sanders stayed that way for three years, only to sign consecutive one-year, $1.5-million deals with the Ravens to be a nickel back.
"I prepare to win it all, and that's one of the reasons I'm here," he said. Predictably, Prime Time morphed into Past His Prime, and the Ravens finished 9-7 and 6-10 in the next two seasons.
16. Carl Eller
Carl Eller, No. 81, was a key player on the Vikings' "Purple People Eaters" defense.Position: Defensive end
Career: 1964-79 (16 seasons)
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1964-78), Seattle Seahawks (1979)
Hall of Fame: 2004
Carl Eller Stats
Carl Eller was a six-time Pro Bowler.Key stats: 225 G, 23 FR, sacks not available
First-team All-Pro: 5 (1968-71, 1973)
Pro Bowls: 6 (1968-71, 1973-74)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Carl Eller
Carl Eller, leaping, played all but one season of his NFL career with the Vikings.This pass-rush specialist played so long, he could have changed his name to Carl Elder.
Rather than bow out gracefully with the organization that drafted him, he pulled up stakes instead.
The 37-year-old played out the string as a part-time starter in the Pacific Northwest, where he was woefully out of place with a young defense.
15. Darrell Green
Darrell Green had 54 interceptions in his career.Position: Cornerback, punt returner
Career: 1983-2002 (20 seasons)
Teams: Washington Redskins
Hall of Fame: 2008
Darrell Green Stats
Darrell Green was one of the fastest players in NFL history.Key stats: 295 G, 54 INT, 10 FR
First-team All-Pro: 4 (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991)
Pro Bowls: 7 (1984, 1986-87, 1990-91, 1996-97)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1987, 1991)
Bottom Line: Darrell Green
Darrell Green played in 295 career games.The fastest man in football also was among the slowest to leave it.
While still productive at 37 years of age, Darrell Green was on borrowed time.
The Ageless Wonder played five more seasons, the final three as a reserve with ordinary teams.
14. Art Shell
Art Shell, No. 78, was a blocking machine.Position: Offensive tackle
Career: 1968-82 (15 seasons)
Teams: Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Hall of Fame: 1989
Art Shell Stats
Art Shell, No. 78, liked to mix it up.Key stats: 207 G, 8 FR
First-team All-Pro: 2 (1974, 1977)
Pro Bowls: 8 (1972-78, 1980)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1976, 1980)
Bottom Line: Art Shell
Art Shell became the Raiders' head coach after his playing days.By the time the Raidahs moved to Southern California after the 1981 season, Art Shell's best days were in the rearview mirror.
But the 36-year-old backup made the move south, where his streak of 168 consecutive starts came to an unceremonious conclusion in a strike-shortened season.
13. Jackie Slater
Jackie Slater was a third-round draft pick (86th overall) out of Jackson State in 1976.Position: Offensive tackle
Career: 1976-95 (20 seasons)
Teams: Los Angeles Rams
Hall of Fame: 2001
Jackie Slater Stats
Jackie Slater, No. 78, played his whole career with the Rams.Key stats: 259 G, 4 FR
First-team All-Pro: None
Pro Bowls: 7 (1983, 1985-90)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Jackie Slater
Jackie Slater was a seven-time Pro Bowler.There was no quit in this guy, all right.
The big fella maxed out at age 36, but Jackie Slater played five more seasons, when he did little more than take up a roster spot with bad teams.
12. Warren Moon
Warren Moon made his NFL debut at the age of 28 in 1984.Position: Quarterback
Career: 1984-2000 (17 seasons)
Teams: Houston Oilers (1984-93), Minnesota Vikings (1994-96), Seattle Seahawks (1997-98), Kansas City Chiefs (1999-2000)
Hall of Fame: 2006
Warren Moon Stats
Warren Moon, center, passed for over 49,000 yards in his career.Key stats: 208 G, 49,325 YDS, 291 TD
First-team All-Pro: 1 (1990)
Pro Bowls: 9 (1988-95, 1997)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Warren Moon
Warren Moon was the first undrafted quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.The movie "Bad Moon" was about a Pacific Northwest photojournalist who turned into a werewolf at night. It could have been about a Seattle has-been who became a nightmare of a quarterback on Sundays.
Warren Moon's final three seasons were a horror show — 5-7 record and 54.6 pass completion percentage.
11. Richard Dent
Richard Dent was the MVP of Super Bowl XX.Position: Defensive end
Career: 1983-97 (15 seasons)
Teams: Chicago Bears (1983-93, 1995), Philadelphia Eagles (1994), Indianapolis Colts (1996), Philadelphia Eagles (1997)
Hall of Fame: 2011
Richard Dent Stats
Richard Dent was known as "The Colonel."Key stats: 203 G, 137.5 SK, 13 FR
First-team All-Pro: 4 (1984-85, 1988, 1990)
Pro Bowls: 4 (1944-95, 1988, 1990)
Super Bowl championships: 2 (1985, 1994)
Bottom Line: Richard Dent
Richard Dent had 137.5 career sacks.The Super Bowl XX Most Valuable Player was known as "The Colonel" in his prime.
The guy hung on for so long, he was demoted to second lieutenant before retirement.
Richard Dent's final four seasons were spent as a broken-down pass-rush specialist with four different teams.
10. Len Dawson
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson in 1969.Position: Quarterback
AFL/NFL Career: 1957-1975 (19 seasons)
AFL/NFL teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-59), Cleveland Browns (1960-61), Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1962-75)
Hall of Fame: 1987
Len Dawson Stats
Len Dawson won one Super Bowl.Key AFL/NFL stats: 211 G, 28,711 YDS, 239 TD
AFL/NFL first-team All-Pro: 2 (1962, 1966)
AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls: 7 (1962, 1964, 1966-69, 1971)
AFL/Super Bowl championships: 4 (1962, 1966, 1969)
Bottom Line: Len Dawson
Len Dawson retired from the NFL when he was 40.Lenny "The Cool" Dawson thought he could play forever. So did the front office, apparently.
In five consecutive drafts (1969 to 1973), the Chiefs neglected to draft a quarterback before the sixth round despite his advanced age. After a 7-11-1 record in three injury-riddled seasons, the 40-year-old finally had enough, but there was no suitable replacement.
There would be no playoff victories in Kansas City over the next 15 seasons, either.
9. Jerry Kramer
Jerry Kramer played his whole career with the Packers.Position: Offensive tackle, placekicker
Career: 1958-68 (11 seasons)
Teams: Green Bay Packers
Hall of Fame: 2018
Jerry Kramer Stats
Jerry Kramer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.Key stats: 130 G, 3 FR, 29 FG
First-team All-Pro: 5 (1960, 1962-63, 1966, 1967)
Pro Bowls: 3 (1962-63, 1967)
NFL/Super Bowl championships: 7 (1961-62, 1965-67)
Bottom Line: Jerry Kramer
Jerry Kramer was a key part of the Packers' championship teams in the 1960s.This guy could have went out a Super Bowl winner in the final game of the Lombardi era. One week after he executed an iconic block on the final play of the Ice Bowl. Really, how cool would that have been?
But nooooo, Jerry Kramer returned for one nightmare season, which he spent at odds with line coach Ray Wietecha with a 6-7-1 team.
As Kramer's much-abused body would probably agree, it was one too many.
8. Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards.Position: Running back
Career: 1990-2004 (15 seasons)
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003-04)
Hall of Fame: 2010
Emmitt Smith Stats
Emmitt Smith won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.Key stats: 226 G, 21,579 YFS, 175 TD
First-Team All-Pro: 4 1992-95
Pro Bowls: 8 (1990-95, 1998-99)
Super Bowl championships: 3 (1992, 1993, 1995)
Bottom Line: Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith played for the Cardinals to close out his NFL career.Mamas, don’t let your Triplets grow up to be ex-Cowboys. Michael Irvin stayed in Big D. Troy Aikman, too.
After the organization released the No. 1 ground gainer in league history after 13 seasons, he signed with the sad-sack Cardinals rather than ride off into the sunset.
"In my mind, I’m a 1,300-yard back, and I will be out to prove that," he said at the time. Turned out he was a 1,193-yard back. Over his final two uneventful seasons.
7. Franco Harris
Franco Harris won four Super Bowls with the Steelers.Position: Running back
Career: 1972-1984 (13 seasons)
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1972-83), Seattle Seahawks (1984)
Hall of Fame: 1990
Franco Harris Stats
Franco Harris scored 100 touchdowns in his career.Key stats: 173 G, 14,407 YSCM, 100 TD
First-team All-Pro: 1 (1977)
Pro Bowls: 9 (1972-80)
Super Bowl championships: 4 (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979)
Bottom Line: Franco Harris
Franco Harris finished his career in Seattle.At 33, the Stillers workhorse had a 1,000-yard season that left him 363 yards behind Jim Brown as the all-time ground gainer in NFL history. But when Franco Harris held out before the 1984 season, neither side would budge.
Rather than lower his demands or retire with his legacy intact, Harris headed to the Pacific Northwest, where he looked grossly out of place in navy and green.
It was a move that he and his old team would soon regret. He played in only eight more games and fell short of the record.
6. Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen started his NFL career with the Eagles in 1957.Position: Quarterback
Career: 1957-1974 (18 seasons)
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1957-1963), Washington Redskins (1964-74)
Hall of Fame: 1983
Sonny Jurgensen Stats
Sonny Jurgensen threw for 32,224 yards in his career.Key stats: 218 G, 32,224 YDS, 255 TD
First-team All-Pro: 2 (1961, 1969)
Pro Bowls: 5 (1961, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969)
NFL/Super Bowl championships: 1 (1960)
Bottom Line: Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen played in 218 career games.This pot-bellied member of the Over The Hill Gang wanted an ever-elusive league championship with the Redskins in the worst way. It’s just that, at age 40, he almost required a walker to remain upright in the pocket.
In his final game, he came off the bench to throw a killer pick-six and be sacked three times in the divisional playoff round. On 13 drop-backs.
That’s no way for an all-time gunslinger to go out, people, no way at all.
5. Lou Groza
Lou Groza scored over 1,600 points in his NFL career.Position: Offensive tackle, placekicker
AAFC-NFL career: 1946-67 (21 seasons)
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Hall of Fame: 1974
Lou Groza Stats
Lou Groza played 21 seasons of pro football.Key AAFC/NFL statistics: 268 G, 264 FG, 1,608 PT
AAFC/NFL first-team All-Pro: 4 (1952-55)
Pro Bowls: 9 (1950-55, 1957-59)
AAFC/NFL/Super Bowl championships: 8 (1946-50, 1954-55, 1964)
Bottom Line: Lou Groza
Lou Groza was nicknamed "The Toe."At 41, "The Toe" had a remarkable 1965 season, but really, how much longer could Lou Groza fool Father Time?
His reluctance to get out while the gettin’ was good might have cost the Brownies a playoff berth or more.
In the next two seasons, he bricked 11 field goals in five losses that helped decide close East Conference races.
4. Jackie Smith
Jackie Smith was drafted in the 10th round (129th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Northwestern State in 1963.Position: Tight end
Career: 1963-78 (16 seasons)
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1963-77), Dallas Cowboys (1978)
Hall of Fame: 1994
Jackie Smith Stats
Jackie Smith had 480 receptions in his career.Key stats: 210 G, 480 REC, 43 TD
First-team All-Pro: None
Pro Bowls: 5 (1966-70)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Jackie Smith
Jackie Smith is remembered for dropping this touchdown pass in Super Bowl XIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers.This borderline Hall of Famermaxed out at 30 years of age in the 1970 season, but he couldn’t take a hint and hung on for eight more seasons.
Or just long enough to gag in his final game. The 38-year-old muffed what should have been a gimme touchdown in Super Bowl XIII, an all-time gaffe that would become his legacy.
3. Joe Namath
Joe Namath helped the Jets win their first Super Bowl title in 1969.Position: Quarterback
AFL/NFL Career: 1965-1977 (13 seasons)
AFL/NFL teams: New York Jets (1965-76), Los Angeles Rams (1977)
Hall of Fame: 1985
Joe Namath Stats
Joe Namath was one of the NFL's greatest characters.Key AFL/NFL stats: 140 G, 27,663 YDS, 173 TD
AFL/NFL first-team All-Pro: 1 (1968)
AFL All-Star Games/Pro Bowls: 5 (1965, 1967–69, 1972)
AFL/Super Bowl championships: 2 (1968)
Bottom Line: Joe Namath
Joe Namath finished his career with the Rams in Los Angeles.Had "Broadway Joe" been near his prime, a move to Hollywood might have been plausible. But, no, not at 33 years of age, not with two bum knees and a 4-17 record to show for the two previous seasons.
In his final game, Joe Willie threw four interceptions in a loss against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Don’t you just hate when old age treats heroes like this?
2. Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas threw for 40,239 yards in his career.Position: Quarterback
Career: 1956-73 (18 seasons)
Teams: Baltimore Colts (1956-72), San Diego Chargers (1973)
Hall of Fame: 1979
Johnny Unitas Stats
Johnny Unitas was a five-time All-Pro.Key stats: 211 G, 40,239 YDS, 290 TD
First-team All-Pro: 5 (1958-59, 1964-65, 1967)
Pro Bowls: 10 (1957-64, 1966, 1967)
NFL/Super Bowl championships: 4 (1958-59, 1968, 1970)
Bottom Line: Johnny Unitas
Johnny played five games with the San Diego Chargers to end his career.The classic Chargers unis are the best in pro football history, it says here. Only the legendary Johnny U ever looked bad in one.
So close was his connection to the Colts and Baltimore, he shouldn’t have been allowed to leave them. Sure, he surpassed the career 40,000-yard mark with the Bolts, but that didn’t affect his legacy one iota.
Seriously, every time we see "Chargers" at the bottom of his resume, I want to take Wite-Out to it.
1. Junior Seau
Junior Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowler.Position: Linebacker
Career: 1990-2009 (20 seasons)
Teams: San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-05), New England Patriots (2006-09)
Hall of Fame: 2015
Junior Seau Stats
Junior Seau made a lot of plays in his career.Key stats: 268 G, 56.5 SK, 18 FR
First-team All-Pro: 8 (1991-96, 1998, 2000)
Pro Bowls: 12 (1991-2002)
Super Bowl championships: None
Bottom Line: Junior Seau
Junior Seau never won a Super Bowl.This maniacal hit machine chased a Super Bowl title until he was 40 years old, a full six years after his last productive season. Then he checked himself out three years later.
At what point might retirement have saved his life? He was found to have degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head hits.
How sad.
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