July 16: Lance Mehl Announces Retirement
Jul 16, 2016 6:31:55 GMT -5
Raoul Duke and Bing© in Buffalo Chairman like this
Post by Lithfan on Jul 16, 2016 6:31:55 GMT -5
July 16, 1988
After struggling to return from multiple knee injuries, Lance Mehl realized that he could no longer play through the pain and decided to hang up the cleats on this day, July 16, in 1988. Mehl's comments as reported at the time in the Reading Eagle:
"I've been thinking about it for the last three months and decided it was the best thing to do. I can't get rid of the pain in my knees. When I am golfing I feel pain, I can't imagine being able to cover somebody."
"Everybody plays with aches and pains, but I have a knifing pain. It hurts too much to try."
"I don't want to hang around and linger. I wanted to go out on my terms. I didn't want them to tell me, 'Hey, we don't want you here anymore.'"
And, with those words, Mehl's 8-year NFL career came to an end. Those of us who are old enough will never forget Mehl's 2 4th quarter interceptions to seal the Jets 1982 17-14 victory over the Raiders in the Divisional playoffs. Mehl referred to that game as the highlight of his career.
After struggling to return from multiple knee injuries, Lance Mehl realized that he could no longer play through the pain and decided to hang up the cleats on this day, July 16, in 1988. Mehl's comments as reported at the time in the Reading Eagle:
"I've been thinking about it for the last three months and decided it was the best thing to do. I can't get rid of the pain in my knees. When I am golfing I feel pain, I can't imagine being able to cover somebody."
"Everybody plays with aches and pains, but I have a knifing pain. It hurts too much to try."
"I don't want to hang around and linger. I wanted to go out on my terms. I didn't want them to tell me, 'Hey, we don't want you here anymore.'"
And, with those words, Mehl's 8-year NFL career came to an end. Those of us who are old enough will never forget Mehl's 2 4th quarter interceptions to seal the Jets 1982 17-14 victory over the Raiders in the Divisional playoffs. Mehl referred to that game as the highlight of his career.
