Bledsoe decides to call it quits after 14 seasons

According to Boston.com, Drew Bledsoe announced his retirement last night.

“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 told the Associated Press.

Bledsoe was a great quarterback, especially so during his time spent with the New England Patriots during the 1990s. Drafted by the Patriots in the first round, Bledsoe went on to lead the team to an AFC Championship victory in 1997. Characterized by a strong arm and tough mentality, Bledsoe earned the respect of his teammates and his fans.

But his career became an unfortunate one after an injury sidelined him during the 2001 season. He had played only two games and was replaced by a young quarterback named Tom Brady. Brady, as it goes, went on to lead the struggling and underdog Patriots to the playoffs. But when an injury sidelined him, Bledsoe was given the opportunity to make a name for himself once more in the AFC Championship game, where he helped the Patriots defeat Pittsburgh. His reward? Being benched during the Super Bowl and then being released after the season ended.

Following his unfortunate release, Bledsoe went to Buffalo where he tried to resurrect the Bills. But after 3 seasons of never missing a start, Bledsoe was cut and replaced by another young quarterback who, as of yet, has not found his stride in the Bills’ offense: JP Losman.

It was in 2005 when Bledsoe joined the Dallas Cowboys, but playing behind a poor offensive line rendered his cannon arm useless. He then became more renowned for being slow and more-or-less immobile in the pocket, a reputation that would continue to stick with him until the day he was replaced, for the third time in his career, by a young quarterback with no experience: Tony Romo.

Drew Bledsoe was one of the best guns of the 1990s and his numbers*, attitude, and style — not his mobility or lack of it — will make him one of the best remembered quarterbacks of his generation.

*He ranks 5th all-time in both pass attempts and completions, 7th in passing yards, and 13th in touchdowns.