Notre Dame offensive lineman Steve Elmer has opted to forego his final year of eligibility and has given up football to take a job in Washington D.C.
Elmer, who started 30 games for the Fighting Irish, penned an open letter on the University’s athletic website and said he’s ready to be done with football and that his heart is no longer in it.
Our players' talents go beyond the classroom and the NFL.
Good luck in your future career, Steve.#OnlyAtND ☘ pic.twitter.com/wAYORw3aTJ
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) February 16, 2016
“I have been presented with an incredible opportunity to pursue a career doing something in which I have great interest, and at a great company to boot,” he wrote, not specifying any further on the nature of the job. “The excitement I feel about the professional opportunity in front of me has helped me to realize that I’m just ready to be done with football. I’ve been playing this game for many years, and quite honestly my heart is no longer in it.”
Elmer clarified he holds no resentment towards anybody involved in Notre Dame’s football program and said his experience with Notre Dame was a positive one. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said he supported his former players decision.
“This university provides so many different avenues toward success, whether that’s on the football field or in the boardroom, and Steve’s another outstanding example,” Kelly said.
The Detroit Free Press reports Elmer majored in economics and worked an internship with Republican congressman John Moolenaar last summer. I’d wager his opportunity may fall somewhere along those ambitions and lines.
Elmer isn’t the only former football player to call it a career despite remaining eligibility, as just last month former Stanford center Graham Shuler announced he was retiring to follow opportunities outside the football world.
With football becoming more and more dangerous, I don’t blame Elmer or Shuler for pursuing opportunities outside the game, especially if it makes them happier.
[Business Insider] [Image via UHND]
