Ad Disclosure
Former Steelers WR Randle El wouldn’t play football if he could rewind time
Published:
If given a second chance, Antwaan Randle El wouldn’t play football.
In a story by Brady McCollough of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the former Steelers receiver, now 36 years old, points out that he’s limited physically and mentally now as a result of the sport.
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t,” he told McCollough. “I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn’t play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball.”
Randle El retired from the NFL after nine seasons in the league playing for the Steelers and Washington Redskins.
His 43-yard TD pass in Super Bowl XL on a wide receiver reverse-pass to former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward, the eventual Super Bowl MVP, provided the necessary cushion — and final margin — in the Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Randle El recognizes the NFL’s popularity, but he also foresees its potential downfall.
“Right now,” he said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if football isn’t around in 20, 25 years.”
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
