They all retired at age 38. As did Fran Tarkenton. Dan Fouts retired at 36. Staubach at 37. Unitas made it to 40.
In the modern era, the only great to go the distance was Favre...41.
Brady will be 37 when his current contract ends. How will Belichick ,the practical economist and NFL historian, move forward in 2014?
My memory is a little foggy when it comes to remembering why these legends left the league. Marino lost any remaining mobility. How about the others?
Great question! I've tracked the stats for a while. Each QB HOFer has his own story, but the bottom line is that none have chosen to play beyond 38 (except for Favre and Moon) since the 1970's.
My takeaway is that it's a very rough game on QB's and that especially those with a lot to live for outside of football decide to pursue it while they still have their mental and physical health.
The average retirement age for an SB-era (i.e., played in the league at least one season after 1966) QB is 37.5. Here's the list, with no judgment as to who was or wasn't "great" and leaving Favre off only because he has to wait four more years:
Aikman, Troy 34
Bradshaw, Terry 35
Dawson, Len 40
Elway, John 38
Fouts, Dan 36
Griese, Bob 35
Jurgensen, Sonny 40
Kelly, Jim 36
Marino, Dan 38
Montana, Joe 38
Moon, Warren 44
Namath, Joe 34
Starr, Bart 37
Staubach, Roger 37
Tarkenton, Fran 38
Unitas, Johnny 40
Young, Steve 38
Average: 37.5
Median 38
Aikman retired early because of frequent head injuries, a very wise decision given what we now know. He had a great career ahead of him.
Bradshaw today suffers from short term memory loss but nominally retired early because of his arm problems. Another guy with a great career ahead of him.
Elway famously "quit at the top" after winning two straight rings and obviously had some long-term plans.
Fouts never had the tools around him that matched his skills and went on to a broadcast career.
Griese was plagued by injury late in his career and went on to broadcasting as well.
Kelly also quit near the top of his powers, but his decision was influenced heavily by the illness of his beloved son, RIP.
Marino. You covered him.
Montana's elbow injury is well-documented. He played well in Kansas City, but his skills were in decline.
Namath's knee gave out and he was having too much fun anyway to keep playing.
Staubach retired with the highest pass rating in the league in his final season and pursued a wide range of outside interests. It took the Cowboys 15 years to win their next SB.
Tarkenton's retirement was probably due as much to disappointment and fan animosity as anything else. He was never forgiven for not winning an SB.
Unitas was plagued by injury and ended his storied career in San Diego. I still consider him the best Colts QB ever. :singing:
Young was plagued by injuries towards the end of his career.
Dawson, Jurgensen and Starr were war horses from another era.
Warren Moon marched to the beat of a different drummer.
The rest mostly just quit at the top or near the top of their game, except for Moon.