Vince Young, Michael Sam’s Last Chance At NFL Career Begins At Veteran Combine
For quarterback Vince Young, the first ever NFL veteran combine is his final chance to recapture a career that started with glowing promise almost 10 years ago. For Michael Sam, it may be his only chance to have a career at all.
Both players have registered for the first ever Veteran Combine, according to Yahoo! Sports, looking to showcase their wares for needy NFL teams.
“It’s a combine that will be similar to the college one,” the article describes, “with position drills and physical tests, for NFL veterans who are free agents.”
ESPN’s Adam Shefter took to Twitter to announce Sam’s participation, while the NFL’s Ian Rappaport also tweeted about Vince Young’s participation.
Free-agent DE Michael Sam has been accepted into NFL Veteran Combine on March 22 in Tempe, AZ, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2015
One interesting player taking part in the veteran combine on March 22 in AZ? Vince Young. He’s registered. One more shot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2015
Vince Young was drafted third overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2006. The former University of Texas quarterback was named Rookie of the Year that season and his NFL future seemed bright. Vince made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons with the team, and even lead the Titans to the playoffs in his second year.
Injuries, coupled with disagreements with then-coach Jeff Fisher, led to Young’s benching in favor of Kerry Collins in 2008. Vince would once again reclaim his starting job in 2009 after the Titans started out the season 0-6. The owner, a strong Vince Young supporter, watched as Young made his third Pro Bowl that season, but the following year, Vince had a locker room altercation with Coach Fisher and his time with the team came to an end in 2011. From there, Young bounced around the league, playing with the Eagles, Bills, Packers, and Cleveland Browns.
Michael Sam’s road to the NFL was much different and full of even more controversy. Known for being the first openly gay football player to declare for the NFL draft, Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams (who, ironically enough, are coached by the very same Jeff Fisher). But the team decided to cut Sam before the start of the 2014 season. He since landed on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before being cut from there as well.
The NFL Veteran Combine takes place March 22 in Arizona. For Michael Sam and Vince Young, that date will be when their final chance at making the NFL begins.
[Photo credit: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images]
