It’s hot in Las Vegas. How hot is it? So hot players are choosing retirement over practicing in it. Or something. Whatever it is, today saw Sam Young become the third Raiders player to retire in the first week of training camp in Las Vegas.
Young, he is not. The journeyman veteran is 34 years of age and coming off an injury-riddled season with the Raiders, appearing in 11 games with seven starts. The Raiders brought him back in early June to compete at the tackle spot and after six days of camp practice, he decided he was done.
This news comes just a day after linebacker James Olwualu retired. He, on the other hand, is young. He is just 26 and has played in just three NFL seasons.
The first player retirement of camp was running back Theo Riddick, who had tested positive for COVID. Riddick had already been contemplating retirement and the diagnosis turned out to be the final straw in his decision.
We’re talking about players retiring, but they aren’t the only ones. Just prior to the start of camp, running backs coach Kirby Wilson retired unexpectedly. Also leaving the team were President Marc Badain and Senior VP Brandon Doll.
Strange exodus to say the least.