NFL: 13 Unfortunate Player Careers Cut Short in League History

As we celebrate our nation's 235th birthday, I hope you all had an opportunity to reflect on those who paid and continue to pay the price for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Like this article, I have relative freedom in what I want to say, and you have relative freedom in how you respond. What a country!

OK, here we go. In a dangerous business, bad things are going to happen from time to time. The NFL is a dangerous, high-risk industry. A profession that has the shortest life span of any other professional sport.

It is said the average NFL career is three-and-a-half years. That’s hard to imagine when we see players like Brett Favre play for 20 years without missing a game. I can’t even wrap my mind around that one.

How many of us fans have had to endure a player on our team whose career was cut short due to some catastrophic injury, or worse, death.

This list deals with guys whose untimely injury or death cut short a promising career as NFL players.

The criterion is the player played less than six years, and the resultant injury forced them into an early retirement. So, you will not see names like Priest Holmes or Bob Sanders.

No, this list is dedicated to guys with 6 years or less of NFL tenure and who are no longer in the game. Also, there is no ranking, so No. 13 is no different than No. 1.

Several of these players went on to play for other teams, but I felt the idea was to focus on who drafted them and the loss of that player for that team.

The last slide contains a few notables, so be sure to check that one out as well. As always, thanks for reading, and your comments, civil in nature, are welcome.

13: Jerome Brown, DT, Philadelphia Eagles, 1987-1992

Brown was drafted in the first round in 1987. He had Hall of Fame career written all over him. The University of Miami Hurricane was poised to be a permanent fixture on the defensive front line for the Philadelphia Eagles for years.

That was all cut short.

On June 25, 1992, Brown was involved in an automobile accident. The injuries from that crash brought the big man down. A seemingly indestructible player cut down before his time.

In five seasons, he played in two Pro Bowls, had 29.5 sacks and intercepted three passes. He was well loved and most definitely respected by opposing offensive lines.

12: Ickey Woods, RB, Cincinnati Bengals, 1988-1991

Anybody that knows about the enthusiastically charged Ickey Woods, surely remembers the Ickey shuffle.

You remember, a little shuffle to the left, a little to the right, and then the, oh-no skip, like he was going to fall down, then bam, the football was slammed to the ground.

Woods was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 1988 draft. He played three years with Cincinnati.

Woods was not a leading rusher type, but he certainly scored TD’s, 27 in all. He was also voted to the Pro Bowl his rookie season as he scored 15 touchdowns, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and caught 21 balls.

Woods was never able to equal his rookie season. In his second year, his season was cut short by a torn ACL. When he attempted to return in 1991, he injured his other knee and at 26, was out of football.

11: Alan Ameche, FB, Baltimore Colts, 1955-1960

Most people are not aware that Ameche’s career was cut short due to injury. All most people remember, including me, was watching him score touchdowns.

Ameche was drafted as the No. 3 player in the first round by the Colts in 1955. He was a fullback out of Wisconsin.

No. 35 for the Colts was nicknamed “The Horse,” and he certainly proved that. The four-time Pro Bowler averaged 4.2 YPC. He rushed for more than 4,000 yards, caught over 100 receptions and scored 44 touchdowns.

In case you didn’t know, they only played 12 games per season in those days.

Ameche’s career was cut short by tearing his Achilles in 1960.

10: Greg Cook, QB, Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1973

Greg Cook sounds like an everyday Joe name, but this particular cook was usually good at cooking defenses.

The first-round draft choice was selected by the Bengals as the No. 5 overall pick. He played QB at Cincinnati, which made him a home town hero type, and in his rookie year, he did not disappoint.

Cook was named the AFC Rookie of the Year, despite missing three games due to a shoulder injury that would eventually claim the young promising career.

In 11 games that year, he threw for more than 1,800 yards and 15 TD’s.

Cook suffered two injuries, a torn rotator cuff and partially torn biceps. Today those injuries have been overcome by the likes of Chad Pennington, Drew Brees and Brett Favre, but back in 1969-1970, the technology just wasn’t there.

It was said of Cook by Bill Walsh, who was an assistant with Cincinnati at that time, “Had it not been for that injury, Cook might very well have gone on to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time” (Wikipedia).

9: Keith Millard, DT, Minnesota Vikings, 1985-1991

Although Millard was drafted in 1984, he played one year in the USFL but soon wound up in Minnesota in 1985. Even though Millard was in the NFL until 1993, the focus is in Minnesota before the terrible knee injury suffered in 1990.

He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and still holds the record for the most sacks by an interior defensive linemen with 18 in 1989. Millard played in 75 games for the Vikings but only four in 1990 and none in 1991.

In the 75 games with the Vikings, Millard recorded 53 sacks and two INT’s and in 1989 was the NFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Reference.

8: Billy Sims, RB, Detroit Lions, 1980-1984

I have to admit, I hated watching Billy Sims run the ball, and that was because against the Vikings, he often made minced meat of their defense.

And who could forget his jump kick to that Houston Oilers defender? It’s classic, just YouTube Billy Sims karate kick run.

Billy Sims was destined to be the next Gale Sayers. He was the Heisman Trophy winner in 1978, was the No. 1 player chosen in the 1980 NFL draft, was Rookie of the Year in 1980, made the Pro Bowl in 1980, ’81 and ’82 and led his Lions to the playoffs in 1982 and 1983.  

In just a little over four seasons (60 games), Sims had amassed more than 5,000 yards rushing and 189 receptions and 47 total TD’s.

Conversely, for Sayers in 68 games, he had 4,956 yards and 39 TD’s and 112 receptions. I am not knocking Sayers, he was absolutely terrific. One of the best, I am just comparing some stats here. 

Sims’ career was cut short, by, of all teams, the Minnesota Vikings in 1984. He never returned to the field.

7: Gale Sayers, RB, Chicago Bears, 1965-1971

There’s little argument when it comes to how good the “Kansas Comet” was. When Gale Sayers was taken No. 4 overall in the 1965 draft, Sayers quickly showed the fans that the Bears made a great decision.

His rookie year, he had more than 2,200 all purpose yards. He scored 22 touchdowns, including one punt and one kickoff return. But, the most notable statistic was the six touchdowns he scored against the 49ers on Dec. 12.

Sayers’ first injury occurred in 1968, when he tore several ligaments in his knee. He played in only nine games that year, had more than 850 yards and an astonishing 6.2 YPC.

He returned to form in 1969 and had over 1,000 yards, but 1970 would spell the end for Sayers.

In 1970, he suffered yet another knee injury and his best friend Brian Piccolo died. He tried a comeback in 1971, but after one preseason game, the end had come.

In 1977, Sayers was inducted into the Hall of Fame. His short career was one people continue to talk about today. What if? What if Sayers could have played 10 to 12 years?

We will never know and can only speculate.

6: Sean Taylor, S, Washington Redskins, 2004-2007

Sean Taylor, dubbed Meast by his teammates for his half-man, half-beast attributes, was a player on the rise when his life was cut short from a gunshot wound to his femoral artery.

Taylor’s career was marred by controversy, most of it self-inflicted, but there was no denying the man’s ability to play the game.

He was considered one of the hardest hitting safeties. In his rookie year, he had earned the starting role and wound up with 80 tackles, a sack, four forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Taylor was a feared and respected safety on par with Ed Reed, and we have seen the kind of career Reed has had.

Taylor’s life was cut short because several young men committed a home invasion on Taylor’s home, and while trying to defend his long-time girlfriend and baby daughter, he was shot in the upper leg. He died on Nov. 27, 2007, Taylor died.

In four seasons with the Redskins, Taylor had 12 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and two sacks, but more than anything else, Taylor was an intimidating player that many wide receivers tried to steer clear of.

5: Tony Boselli, T, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001

The long armed, light on his feet LT for the Jaguars was considered by many to be the best in the game since Anthony Munoz, and the five-time Pro Bowler proved his worth.

Boselli was the No. 2 pick in the 1995 and by earning a starter’s spot his rookie year, the Jaguars knew they had their left tackle for at least the next decade.

For the next six years, Boselli was a perennial All-Pro from 1996-2000.

Boselli’s career was cut short by a shoulder injury, but it was not so much due to Boselli’s inability to rebound but more so about the doctor who conducted the surgery. He attached the tendon to the wrong area making the muscle atrophy during rehabilitation.

A Hall of Fame career cut short because of a medical error. But, despite that error, Boselli was voted to the Pride of the Jaguars team, and has since parlayed a post-career announcing gig with Fox.

4: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Cincinnati Bengals, 1995-1999

Drafted No. 1 overall in the 1995 draft, the Bengals were hoping they had their franchise running back since Pete Johnson, who had a solid seven-year career with the Bengals.

Ki-Jana’s career was quickly derailed when he tore ligaments in his knee in his very first preseason game. He never fully recovered.  He attempted to come back from the injury but was quickly replaced by James Brooks, who the Bengals picked up in 1984 from the Chargers.

In his four-year career with the Bengals, Carter amassed a paltry 732 yards. Some may say Carter’s career was a disappointment, but at the running back position, a knee injury is and has been the demise of many.

Carter could have been special, but again, we will never know.

3: Sterling Sharpe, WR, Green Bay Packers, 1988-1994

I make a special exception for Sharpe even though he played seven years. Sharpe was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career, possibly a first ballot inductee.

The No. 7 overall pick in 1988 pulled in 595 balls for more than 8,100 yards and 65 touchdowns in his stellar seven-year career with the Packers.

Sharpe’s career was cut short due to a neck injury during the 1994 season.

He was a five-time Pro Bowl player and was the first player to have back to back seasons of 100 receptions.

2: Terrell Davis, RB, Denver Broncos, 1995-2002

Pick 196 in the sixth round of the 1995 draft, an obscure back from Georgia named Terrell Davis was quietly drafted by the Broncos; little did people know what this kid could do.

Although his tenure for the Broncos was from 1995-2002, Davis actually played only four full seasons. As a rookie he burst onto the scene with more than 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished behind rookie of the year, Curtis Martin for the Patriots.

In his first four years with the Broncos, Davis ran for more than 6,400 yards, 152 receptions and 56 touchdowns. He had the magical 2,008-yard season, two Super Bowl wins (XXXII and XXXIII) and was named the NFL MVP in 1998 and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

Then disaster struck, in the fourth game of the 1999 season, Davis tore both the ACL and MCL. At this point in his career, Davis was behind only Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson in yardage in their first four years.

For the next three years Davis tried to comeback from those devastating injuries, but by 2002, it was over.

Davis personifies the what if. He had size, speed, hands, blocking, all the things a head coach wants in his running back. Why he went in the sixth round still baffles me, but then again, so does Tom Brady.

1: Bo Jackson, RB, Oakland Raiders, 1987-1990

"Bo Knows" football and baseball. Jackson was one of the few athletes who played two professional sports; Deion "Prime Time" Sanders was another. Maybe I should give myself a nickname? Perhaps not.

Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986, Jackson opted for baseball instead, and who could blame him, the Bucs in ’86? Ouch! He was the No. 1 overall pick, talk about putting a massive dagger into the hearts of the Bucs.

Jackson opted to play for the Kansas City Royals, defending World Series champs, but this is not a baseball article, so back to the gridiron.

Jackson was drafted by the Raiders in 1987 because he had not signed with a team, so he was eligible for the 1987 draft. The Raiders took a chance and in the seventh round, yeah I know, the seventh round, grabbed the former Auburn Tiger.

To put it bluntly, Jackson’s NFL career was short, but rather impressive. In four seasons, Jackson rushed for more than 2,700 yards and 16 touchdowns with a 5.4 YPC, and this as Marcus Allen’s backup.

His most impressive outing was a Monday night game against the Seahawks in the famous Brian Bosworth confrontation. Jackson rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

During the 1990 playoffs, Jackson was injured while being tackled. It was a hip injury. Jackson’s football career was over. He did make a brief comeback in baseball, but as I said, this is a football article.

Notables of the "Cut Short" Club

Although I would have loved to make this an all-inclusive list, here are a few that were left off. Our apologies to those players and fans.

Christian Okoye, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, 1987-1992: The “Nigerian Nightmare” rushed for more than 4,800 yards, but his career was marred by nagging injuries.

Dan Morgan, LB, Carolina Panthers, 2001-2007: The promising first-round draft choice never got to enjoy a full season.

Al Toon, WR, N.Y. Jets, 1985-1992: The Jets receiver had a very good career and was able to play eight seasons, but nine concussions forced the playmaker out at age 29.  

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Minnesota Vikings: Yes, it could be said that Culpepper had Moss and Carter et al, but Culpepper was a very good QB until that cheap tackle in 2005. He was also a three-time Pro Bowler.  

Steve Emtman, DT, Indianapolis Colts, 1992-1994: Even though Emtman played for three teams, he is most famous for being drafted No. 1 overall by the Colts.  Nine games into his rookie year he blew out his knee. His career would never recover.

Robert Edwards, RB, New England Patriots, 1998-2000: Chosen No. 18 overall by the Patriots, Edwards’ career was off to a solid start, then the dreaded Pro Bowl rookie beach game. He missed the subsequent 1999 and 2000 seasons.

Caution: Drafting a Georgia RB can be harmful to your team’s long term success, Terrell Davis and Herschel Walker notwithstanding, but consider Garrison Hearst (won Comeback Player of the Year twice), Rodney Hampton (injured his rookie year) and now Knowshon Moreno. I’m just saying.

Korey Stringer, OT, Minnesota Vikings, 1995-2000: Was on his way to a stellar career when struck by heat stroke.

Earl Campbell, RB, Houston Oilers, 1978-1984: One would have to say Bum Phillips rode that horse until it broke. The man had almost 2,200 carries in six years, staggering.

David Pollack, LB, Cincinnati Bengals, 2005-2007: Drafted No. 17 overall in the 2005 draft, Pollack entered the NFL with huge potential.

In his rookie year he had 4.5 sacks in only five games, but by 2006 his career was over due to a broken sixth cervical vertebrae. Pollack retired in 2007.