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04-12-2007, 03:45 PM
Bledsoe calls it quits
Two-time Super Bowl QB retires after 14 NFL seasons
Posted: Wednesday April 11, 2007 11:05PM; Updated: Wednesday April 11, 2007 11:29PM
Drew Bledsoe passed for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdown passes during his career, but ultimately lost the starting QB job with three different teams.
Jim Redman/WireImage.com
Drew Bledsoe Career Stats
Regular Season
Year Team Com Att Yds TD Int
1993 NE 214 429 2494 15 15
1994 NE 400 691 4555 25 27
1995 NE 323 636 3507 13 16
1996 NE 373 623 4086 27 15
1997 NE 314 522 3706 28 15
1998 NE 263 481 3633 20 14
1999 NE 305 539 3985 19 21
2000 NE 312 531 3291 17 13
2001 NE 40 66 400 2 2
2002 Buf 375 610 4359 24 15
2003 Buf 274 471 2860 11 12
2004 Buf 256 450 2932 20 16
2005 Dal 300 499 3639 23 17
2006 Dal 90 169 1164 7 8
Totals 3839 6717 44611 251 206
NEW YORK (AP) -- Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday, ending a 14-year career in which he made two Super Bowls.
The top overall pick by New England in the 1993 draft out of Washington State, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback played for the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He was a starter for all three teams, but ended up as a backup with the Cowboys.
Bledsoe threw for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdown passes in his career.
"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," he said. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."
The 35-year-old Bledsoe lost his starting job to Tom Brady in New England in 2001 when Bledsoe got hurt in the second game of the season, and to Tony Romo in Dallas after Game 6 of last season.
He also asked for his release from the Bills after the 2004 season, when the team informed him it was going with J.P. Losman as the starter the next year. Bledsoe didn't want to be a backup there after he led the Bills to the brink of the playoffs.
He then signed with the Cowboys and was their starter for all of 2005 and part of '06.
In 1996, Bledsoe guided the Patriots to the AFC championship. They lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
He remained the Patriots' starter until he was tackled by the Jets' Mo Lewis in the second game of the 2001 season and injured his chest. Brady took over, although Bledsoe got New England into the Super Bowl in place of the injured Brady by beating Pittsburgh in the AFC title game.
Brady then was the MVP of the Super Bowl win over St. Louis.
The Bills acquired Bledsoe during the 2002 NFL draft by dealing their first-round pick in 2003 to New England. Bledsoe had strong first season in Buffalo, setting 10 team passing records, including single-season marks with 4,359 yards and 375 completions.
His numbers, however, began to decline drastically. In his final 30 games with Buffalo, Bledsoe never finished with more than 296 yards passing, while throwing 29 touchdowns and 27 interceptions during that stretch.
He finishes seventh all-time in yards passing, 13th in touchdown passes and fifth in completions (3,839).
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
True Story
Two-time Super Bowl QB retires after 14 NFL seasons
Posted: Wednesday April 11, 2007 11:05PM; Updated: Wednesday April 11, 2007 11:29PM
Drew Bledsoe passed for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdown passes during his career, but ultimately lost the starting QB job with three different teams.
Jim Redman/WireImage.com
Drew Bledsoe Career Stats
Regular Season
Year Team Com Att Yds TD Int
1993 NE 214 429 2494 15 15
1994 NE 400 691 4555 25 27
1995 NE 323 636 3507 13 16
1996 NE 373 623 4086 27 15
1997 NE 314 522 3706 28 15
1998 NE 263 481 3633 20 14
1999 NE 305 539 3985 19 21
2000 NE 312 531 3291 17 13
2001 NE 40 66 400 2 2
2002 Buf 375 610 4359 24 15
2003 Buf 274 471 2860 11 12
2004 Buf 256 450 2932 20 16
2005 Dal 300 499 3639 23 17
2006 Dal 90 169 1164 7 8
Totals 3839 6717 44611 251 206
NEW YORK (AP) -- Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday, ending a 14-year career in which he made two Super Bowls.
The top overall pick by New England in the 1993 draft out of Washington State, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback played for the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He was a starter for all three teams, but ended up as a backup with the Cowboys.
Bledsoe threw for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdown passes in his career.
"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," he said. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."
The 35-year-old Bledsoe lost his starting job to Tom Brady in New England in 2001 when Bledsoe got hurt in the second game of the season, and to Tony Romo in Dallas after Game 6 of last season.
He also asked for his release from the Bills after the 2004 season, when the team informed him it was going with J.P. Losman as the starter the next year. Bledsoe didn't want to be a backup there after he led the Bills to the brink of the playoffs.
He then signed with the Cowboys and was their starter for all of 2005 and part of '06.
In 1996, Bledsoe guided the Patriots to the AFC championship. They lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
He remained the Patriots' starter until he was tackled by the Jets' Mo Lewis in the second game of the 2001 season and injured his chest. Brady took over, although Bledsoe got New England into the Super Bowl in place of the injured Brady by beating Pittsburgh in the AFC title game.
Brady then was the MVP of the Super Bowl win over St. Louis.
The Bills acquired Bledsoe during the 2002 NFL draft by dealing their first-round pick in 2003 to New England. Bledsoe had strong first season in Buffalo, setting 10 team passing records, including single-season marks with 4,359 yards and 375 completions.
His numbers, however, began to decline drastically. In his final 30 games with Buffalo, Bledsoe never finished with more than 296 yards passing, while throwing 29 touchdowns and 27 interceptions during that stretch.
He finishes seventh all-time in yards passing, 13th in touchdown passes and fifth in completions (3,839).
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
True Story