Going into my eighth year is when my transition started. I had done everything that I could’ve done in terms of training camps and practicing. I remember going into the final days of training camp and being so nervous. After year eight I knew there was a possibility that I wouldn’t be playing in the NFL if I didn’t get an offer that I liked or felt comfortable with.
I knew I wasn’t going to be on a training camp roster at the start of the season, so I auditioned for a couple of gigs in media. One company asked if I was retired and I didn’t really know how to answer the question. I wasn’t retired, but I also hadn’t gotten an opportunity I wanted. I spoke with my wife, my agent, and a few of my friends in the media industry to get their opinions. My football agent said “You’re at a point in your career where you know the situation. Either you’re going to sign late or not at all.” Opportunities in media don’t come around too often and rarely twice, so I had to make a decision. I spoke to my wife again and she asked, 'Do you want to play, or do you need to play?' I wanted to play; I love it but in reality, I didn’t need to play.