In 2009 with the 74th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected a 21 year old running back out of the University of Alabama. This RB had just wrapped up his junior season with the Tide, and was coming off his best year yet. He earned All SEC First Team honors, and finished with 1,383 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in that season. Even though he split time in that season, he was still considered the starter for the team ahead of the likes of future heisman trophy winner, and first round draft pick Mark Ingram. It was safe to say that this guy at least had talent, and possibly a strong NFL future. Obviously there wasn't much room for playing time behind Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore, however the 49ers appeared to be grooming their young pick for a backup role. He finished the season with 226 yards on 83 carries, and 1 touchdown, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. Not great numbers, but not bad considering the personnel situation in SF. Then, with no warning after the season the University of Alabama product up and retired. At just 22 years old, the perfectly healthy back decided to hang up the cleats for good. Even now it appears as though he will never be making a return to football. So, any idea who this former football player is?
Well, if you guessed Glen Coffee, then you are right.
Glen Coffee, the man, the myth, the legend. I can't help but hate him and love him at the same time. He was given the physical attributes, and skills most of us white kids can only dream about, and he just threw it all away. He wasn't the first, and he won't be the last to do it, but I can't help but be a little bit mad at what a waste it all was.
Ok so we know he's out of football, but what ever happened to Glen Coffee?
Well, when Coffee retired just before the 2010 season, he apparently said he believed "God intended him to take a different path." His immediate plans included returning to the University of Alabama and getting his degree, and afterwards turning to the ministry. Now that's all well and good, and I respect that he is willing to give up football and everything he has done up until that point in order to follow some sort of divine path.
So case closed right? Wrong. In October of 2010, just six months after he made his official retirement in order to follow the plan God had apparently made for him, Coffee was arrested in Florida for carrying an illegal firearm. Interesting. For some reason I doubt that God told him to carry this gun around, unless maybe he wanted him to start some sort of holy war. Other then that arrest as far as the internet is concerned Coffee is a full time minister. But this is the part that really pisses me off. Obviously this guy confused, and he thinks the lord can help him figure his life out. Good for him, but the gun thing makes no sense to me. I really just have no idea how to explain it. It's just amazing how dumb people can be.
So that's it, an up to date story on former NFL running back Glen Coffee. I always liked Coffee when he was in the league, mostly because the 49ers were my team in Madden 10 (the best Madden to date I'd say). The dude is a Madden Legend, used to rush for like a consistent 80 yards per game, and was always good for a score. I still to this day put Madden 10 in my Xbox so I can get my Glen Coffee on. I would love to see Coffee someday make a comeback in to the league, but until now we'll just have to hope and pray.
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