Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
AFC West: Broncos' Moffitt retires, forgoes $1 million
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, November 7, 2013 - 2:00pm

John Moffitt wasn't unhappy with a lack of playing time in Denver. He quit the NFL because he'd lost his love for the game and was tired of risking his health.

The third-year guard from Wisconsin called the Broncos from his home in Seattle this week to notify them he wouldn't be returning to the team following its bye.

Then he announced on Twitter that he was calling it a career, saying, "Football was fun but my head hurts-haha kidding roger goodell. I'm on to new things, thanks to everyone along the way!!!"

The Broncos put him on their reserve/left team list on Tuesday when they activated center J.D. Walton from the physically unable to perform list.

They have five days to formally release Moffitt, who left more than $1 million on the table, including about $312,500 for the remainder of this season and $752,500 in non-guaranteed salary in 2014.

Moffitt, who signed a four-year contract for nearly $3 million after Seattle made him the 75th overall draft pick in 2011, said he knows teammates and fans don't understand how he could forgo the fame and fortune of pro football.

"I just really thought about it and decided I'm not happy. I'm not happy at all," Moffitt told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Seattle. "And I think it's really madness to risk your body, risk your well-being and risk your happiness for money.

"Everybody, they just don't get it and they think it's crazy. But I think what I was doing is crazy."

He said he didn't want to see things through this season for the shot at a Super Bowl.

"I don't care about the Super Bowl. I don't," Moffitt insisted. "I used to. I mean, anytime I played this game, I gave my heart to it and I'm a person that does thing with his heart. ... I don't need the Super Bowl experience. I played in great stadiums and I played against great players. And I had that experience and it's enough."

The Broncos acquired Moffitt on Aug. 20 from the Seahawks after he'd lost out on one of two starting guard spots in Seattle during training camp. He played in two games for the Broncos (7-1).

Moffitt, 27, made about $1.8 million before taxes in his 2 1/2 seasons in the NFL.

"I've saved enough. It's not like I'm sitting here and I'm a millionaire," he said. "That's what I kind of realized. I'm sitting here and I got to this point and I was like, what is the number that you need? How much do you really need? What do you want in life? And I decided that I don't really need to be a millionaire.

"I just want to be happy. And I find that people that have the least in life are sometimes the happiest. And I don't have the least in life. I have enough in life. And I won't sacrifice my health for that."

Moffitt stressed that he's not passing judgment on his former colleagues, saying, "This is all my personal stuff and I respect this game and I respect the men in this game."

Although Moffitt never had a history of concussions, he acknowledged all the blows he sustained in practices and games concerned him.

"I'm not trying to be the poster boy for `Oh, I thought I should leave because of concussions.' I'm just saying, it's a valid point," Moffitt said. "I love the game and I respect the game and everybody who plays it knows what they risk and I knew what I risked when I played, and I'm no longer willing to risk it."

Moffitt majored in sociology at Wisconsin and said his world view was really shaped over the last couple of years when he began studying the writings of the Dalai Lama and Noam Chomsky.

Now that he's out from behind the NFL shield, Moffitt said he's looking forward to speaking his mind on the radio and in podcasts he's going to produce. He said he has plenty of opinions to share on everything from philosophy to politics, although he has less to say about sports.

He said he also wants to go on a diet now that he doesn't have to maintain his 319-pound physique.

Moffitt said the timing of his decision had nothing to do with Walton being activated from the reserve/PUP list, although "I'm glad it worked out like that." And he said he felt bad his decision coincided with coach John Fox's heart operation.

He doesn't regret playing football, either.

"Obviously, I wish things worked out better in Seattle. I wish I played more there, but I loved college football. I loved being in Seattle playing football. It wasn't always the easiest, but I live here now and I'm thankful," he said. "I look back and I'm thankful for the whole experience. That's enough for me."

Moffitt said he wants to spend more time with his parents in Connecticut and with his girlfriend and her 5-year-old daughter in Seattle. He said his father is "my best friend and I never get to see him."

Moffitt said he'll miss playing in games and goofing around with the guys, but he's glad the rest of his NFL life is over.

"Once you tear away all the illusions of it, it's hard work. And it's dangerous work. And you're away from your family. And it's not good for families. It's very tough on families," he said.

Moffitt is also glad to leave the league on his terms.

"I'm ready to go to work and start doing other things right now," Moffitt said. "So, it's a smoother transition and I'm still young enough to start a career and my body's healthy and I'm good. I look at it as a great start to life, you know?"

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Three and Out: Smith's playing time; competition heats up
What Raiders eat before game day
Elway humbled by Stanford retiring jersey number
Staley on Carolina: 'We're prepared for everything'

Giants

Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?
Cubs hire Padres bench coach as new manager
NL West: Charges against Dodgers' Puig dismissed
Police: Rockies co-owner's alcohol level three times above limit
Read More

Athletics

Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
Las Vegas favors A's to Giants in 2014
MLB team executives shying away from Colon
A's announce spring training schedule
Read More

Sharks

Oilers, Bryzgalov agree to one-year deal
Hedi's Hat Trick: Does Havlat fit the Sharks' MO?
Sharks' Niemi 'not tired,' says McLellan
Burns getting more involved in Sharks practice
Read More

49ers

Defending the 'wussification' of sports
Harbaugh: 49ers have not discussed how much Smith will play
49ers favored despite Panthers' winning streak
Panthers-49ers matchup No. 2: Ginn vs. Spillman
Read More

Raiders

McFadden, Hayden among six Raiders ruled out
Raiders-Giants matchup No. 2: Watson vs. Tuck
Raiders 6.5-point underdogs against Giants
Pryor has work to do in season's second half
Read More

Warriors

Instant Replay: Warriors fall just short
Stephen Curry out vs. Spurs
Paul struggles, Wade shines in Heat's victory over Clippers
Blake's last-second trey over Howard sinks Rockets
Read More

NCAA

Stanford imposes its will, punishes Oregon in top-5 showdown
Stanford dominates early, staves off furious Ducks rally late
Oregon, Stanford coaches a mirror of success
Oregon, Stanford set for Pac-12's game of the year
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?
(47)
Andrew Baggarly

More Stories

Cubs hire Padres bench coach as new manager
NL West: Charges against Dodgers' Puig dismissed
(1)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

What is the market like for Wilson?
What is the market like for Wilson?
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Rockies targeting Wilson, Balfour
Police: Rockies co-owner's alcohol level three times above limit

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Young Ranger southpaw signs new contract
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Las Vegas favors A's to Giants in 2014
(1)
MLB team executives shying away from Colon
(3)
See more >

A's VIDEO

Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
Are Balfour and Colon's days in Oakland over?
See more >

A's TALK

A's announce spring training schedule
Reliever Neshek elects free agency
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Oilers, Bryzgalov agree to one-year deal
ProHockeyTalk

More Stories

Hedi's Hat Trick: Does Havlat fit the Sharks' MO?
(1)
Sharks' Niemi 'not tired,' says McLellan
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Sharks' nine-game win streak over Canucks snapped
Highlights: Sharks' nine-game win streak over Canucks snapped
See more >

Features

Burns getting more involved in Sharks practice
Sliding Panthers fire head coach, two assistants

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Warriors fall just short
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Stephen Curry out vs. Spurs
(5)
Paul struggles, Wade shines in Heat's victory over Clippers
(3)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

YSTL: Should Warriors be concerned about Curry long-term?
YSTL: Should Warriors be concerned about Curry long-term?
See more >

Features

Blake's last-second trey over Howard sinks Rockets
Myers, Warriors seek to emulate Buford, Spurs

MONTE POOLE

There is no data to display.

  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Kings vs. Trail Blazers
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Preview: Kings look to patch up defense against Blazers
(1)
Hawks' Schroder suspended for striking Kings' Cousins in groin
(1)
See more >

Watch

Dennis Schroder strikes DeMarcus Cousins in groin
Dennis Schroder strikes DeMarcus Cousins in groin
See more >

Features

Kings get 26 from Thomas, but lose to Hawks at home
Kings back at home to face Hawks

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Defending the 'wussification' of sports
(5)
Ray Ratto

More Stories

Harbaugh: 49ers have not discussed how much Smith will play
(6)
49ers favored despite Panthers' winning streak
(8)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Three and Out: Smith's playing time; competition heats up
Three and Out: Smith's playing time; competition heats up
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 8 Rewind: 49ers set the tone in rout of Jags
(13)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

  • NFL Draft moved to May
  • 'Tuck Rule' eliminated from NFL rulebook
  • Raiders look to turn Taiwan Jones into a cornerback
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

McFadden, Hayden among six Raiders ruled out
(13)
Scott Bair

More Stories

Raiders-Giants matchup No. 2: Watson vs. Tuck
(1)
Raiders 6.5-point underdogs against Giants
(3)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

What Raiders eat before game day
What Raiders eat before game day
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Week 9 Rewind: Raiders must rebound after crushing loss
(27)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • McFadden, Hayden among six Raiders ruled out
  • Raiders-Giants matchup No. 2: Watson vs. Tuck
  • Pryor has work to do in season's second half
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

First steel column laid in Quakes' new stadium
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Earthquakes to open Levi's Stadium
(4)
Quakes sign Mark Watson to multi-year contract as head coach
(1)
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Pros and Cons: Should Giants go after Masahiro Tanaka?
(47)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Myers, Warriors seek to emulate Buford, Spurs
(14)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Harbaugh: 49ers have not discussed how much Smith will play
(6)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

McFadden, Hayden among six Raiders ruled out
(13)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Hedi's Hat Trick: Does Havlat fit the Sharks' MO?
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

Defending the 'wussification' of sports

TOP STORIES

  • McFadden, Hayden among six Raiders ruled out
  • Raiders-Giants matchup No. 2: Watson vs. Tuck
  • Raiders 6.5-point underdogs against Giants

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

TEXT ALERTS

Be the first to know. Sign up for breaking news text alerts!

NCAA

Oregon, Stanford set for Pac-12's game of the year
Hospitalized Cal player details injuries to newspaper

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Three and Out: Smith's playing time; competition heats up
Three and Out: Smith's playing time; competition heats up
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers Insider
  • Scott Bair - Raiders Insider
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks Insider
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California