Daunte Culpepper and the Most Disappointing Career Endings in NFL History

Daunte Culpepper is finished playing pro football.

According to Craig Castille of the Orlando Sentinel, Culpepper has hung up the cleats:

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"As far as me playing, I think I am done,'' said Culpepper, 35. "That part of my book is closed. The next chapter is, I have kids and I will be coaching them.

I am retired, obviously, and I am raising my kids and living in South Florida,'' said Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. "That's a full-time job.''

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Unfortunately for Culpepper, he never reached his NFL peak and his final years were quite forgettable. To that end, let's check out other players who join Culpepper with a disappointing career ending.

Joe Namath, QB

Compared to today's NFL, had Joe Namath played during the 21st century he would be a long-shot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Despite being a God in New York for having guaranteed a victory (and pulling it off) in Super Bowl III for the Jets, Namath completed under 50 percent of his passes seven times during his career.

Even with standout receiver Don Maynard outwide, Namath only twice threw more touchdowns than interceptions in a season. Still, the man had a great career when healthy and threw for over 4,000 yards in 1967.

The final two seasons though (1976, 1977), Namath hit even worse numbers. Combined in this span were seven touchdowns to 21 interceptions and only 1,696 passing yards in 15 games played.

Broadway Joe may have been the catalyst that ignited the 1970 merger, but his last snaps under center are better off forgotten.

Roger Craig, RB

Roger Craig changed the game of football at the professional level.

A legend in San Francisco, Craig was part of three of four Super Bowls for the 49ers in the 1980s and made an immediate impact.

Before there was Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson there was Roger Craig.

In 1985, Craig gained over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards and scored 15 total touchdowns. Finishing his career with 4,911 receiving yards, Craig set the future standard for dual-threat running backs.

And although he had an impressive career through 1989, Craig's downfall began in 1990. Only playing in 11 games that season, Craig's fumble in the 1990 NFC Championship game cost San Francisco a shot at the pro football's first Super Bowl three-peat.

Craig then played for the Raiders and Vikings from 1991-1993, but compiled just 1,596 total yards in his final three years. Only starting four games for Minnesota in two seasons, Craig's career ended in an unfortunate manner after dominating so consistently from 1983-1989.

Dan Marino, QB

Other than his rookie season in 1983, Dan Marino had just one more season where he threw more interceptions than touchdowns—his final year.

There's no doubt that Marino belongs in the Hall of Fame and he's arguably a top-five quarterback to ever play the game. Still, the man's career had an ending that was beyond disappointing.

In 1999, Marino played in just 11 games (the second-least of his career) and tossed 12 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Marino also had a 55.3 completion percentage and a 67.4 rating (both career lows).

Fortunately, the Dolphins did manage to make the postseason and Marino led them to victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the AFC Wild Card. Then unfortunately, Miami was blasted by the No. 1 seed Jacksonville Jaguars 62-7 in the Divisional Round.

There, Marino was only 11-of-25 for 95 yards, one touchdown, two picks, two lost fumbles, two sacks, and a rating of 34.6. You can't get much worse of a career sendoff than that.

The good news is Marino had many great memories, so he's obviously remembered for an elite career instead of a horrific finish.

Tim Brown, WR

At least Dan Marino got to play his entire career with the Miami Dolphins.

Tim Brown, unfortunately, played his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 and ended in disappointing fashion.

A long-time Oakland Raider, Brown was one of the NFL's best receivers during the 1990s and started off the new millennium quite well. After the Raiders lost Super Bowl XXXVII to the Bucs however, Brown began to quickly decline.

In 2003, he had just 52 receptions for 567 yards (lowest since 1992) and only scored two touchdowns. Despite playing in 15 games that season, Brown played out one more year in Tampa Bay where he caught just 24 passes for 200 yards and one score.

Only starting four games that season, Brown never got another Super Bowl opportunity after 2002 and should have only played for the Raiders.

Daunte Culpepper, QB

In 2003, Daunte Culpepper had quite a year, with almost 3,500 yards and 23 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions. He also finished with a 65.0 completion percentage and a 96.4 rating.

Then 2004 happened and Culpepper had the promise of potentially being one of the best quarterbacks of his era. Throwing for over 4,700 yards with 39 touchdowns to only 11 picks, Culpepper also had a 69.2 completion percentage and a 110.9 rating.

It was easily the best season of his career, however, Culpepper unfortunately could not live up to the hype in 2005 and thereafter.

From 2005 through 2009, Culpepper started in just 27 games and threw only 20 touchdowns to 32 interceptions. His completion percentage during this span was only 58.3 and a rating of only 71.1.

A three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection, Culpepper's final five NFL seasons were spent with four different teams. Certainly a frustrating ending after a strong first five seasons.

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