A Tribute to New York Jets’ LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson

After his shocking retirement, we look back at the career of New York Jets’ LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

He was a player that the New York Jets could count on, every game, for ten years.  He did it at the second-most important position on the offensive side of the football, left tackle.  He played for three different head coaches, and protected the blind side of eight different quarterbacks.  He entered the league the quiet man, and he left the same way.

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First reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN, Jets’ tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired from the NFL after ten seasons with the Jets.  He retires from the game at the age of 32, just a couple of days after it was reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN that he was asked to take a pay cut in order to create room to sign Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Whether or not this was part of his motivation to retire, “Brick” put in a career deserving of applause.

In his first season as the Jets’ general manager, Mike Tannenbaum knew that his team needed a left tackle to anchor the offensive line.  Protecting the quarterback’s blind side is of the utmost importance, and drafting a good one can set your team up for a decade.

That is what Tannenbaum did, drafting Ferguson with the four overall pick in the 2006 draft.  Now, when I say anchor a team for a decade, I mean it.  Ferguson wore the green and white for ten years, starting every game, including the playoffs, of his career.  Out of 10,708 offensive snaps during his time with the Jets, Ferguson was on the field for 10,707 of those snaps, reported by Field Yates of ESPN.

That’s right.  Ferguson missed one snap over his entire career.  You can’t get much more durable than that.

But, it’s more than just the fact that he stayed on the field.  A great leader is one who lets his play do the talking, and D’Brickashaw did exactly that.  At no point was this player a prima donna, ever mouthing off to the media, getting in trouble, fighting with teammates, or doing anything else that has become far too common in today’s NFL.

Ferguson carried himself like a winner.

It’s one thing when teammates react to a player retiring, but it’s another level when opponents react.  J.J. Watt had this to say:

Receiver Brian Hartline chimed in as well:

When players around the league react to a retirement, it is clear that player has earned respect.  D’Brickashaw Ferguson has earned the respect of his peers, and with good reason.

However,  a recent movie release changed the perspective for Ferguson.  A lot of eyes were opened when “Concussion” opened around the country.  The Jets’ left tackle was no different.  He was so impacted by the movie, and it caused him so much thought about his own career, that he penned an article for Sports Illustrated to talk about it.  He had some revealing things to say about his feelings:

"After learning all of this, I feel a bit betrayed by the people or committees put in place by the league who did not have my best interests at heart. Dr. Elliot Pellman was one of the Jets’ team doctors when I was a rookie in 2006, and to learn that he was a part of the group that tried to discredit the scope and impact of brain injuries among players within the league is disheartening."

It’s reasonable to believe that after learning what he has learned, Ferguson became fearful for the years ahead.  He’s healthy now, but it’s understandable if he didn’t want to succumb to the same fate as Mike Webster and others.

No matter what the reason, Ferguson deserves to be applauded for a great career, both on and off of the field.  He took the Rex-coined term “Play like a Jet” to new heights, and it is only a matter of time before he takes his place in the Ring of Honor.

We end with D’Brickashaw in his own words, with a quote from a letter he wrote to Jets’ fans, reprinted by Rich Cimini from ESPN:

"I am proud of what I have accomplished in this league, but football has also taught me that you can’t do it all alone. Others have sacrificed so much to allow me the opportunity to be where I am today, people who have paved the way before me, people who have invested in my life and willingly worked with me to help me achieve my dreams."

The Jets have found their replacement, as first reported by Adam Schefter from ESPN, trading for Ryan Clady from the Denver Broncos.  But, he will live in the hearts of Jets’ fans for many years to come.

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Congratulations to Ferguson on a brilliant career, and best wishes to him and his family.