Perhaps no player in NFL history better represents the concept of "going out on his own terms" than Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher. The 16-year veteran announced Wednesday that he's "99 percent certain" this will be his last season. Fletcher is best known as one of four players in NFL history to play in 250 consecutive games, an iron-man list littered with kickers, punters and quarterbacks. It's a testament to his physical and mental toughness that he joined their ranks at the position that involves the most impact hits in football. Although Fletcher was named Division III linebacker of the year at John Carroll University, NFL teams overlooked the 5-foot-10 small-school star in the 1998 NFL Draft. He went on to become one of the greatest undrafted players in NFL history, starring at middle linebacker on the 1999 and 2001 St. Louis Rams Super Bowl teams. It's always a challenge to compile a reliable account of career tackles because NFL teams fudge the numbers, but Fletcher generally is listed in the top-six of all time, behind the likes of Jessie Tuggle, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews, Junior Seau and Kyle Clfiton. Source: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...letcher-99-percent-certain-to-retire-from-nfl
he will not be in on the 1st ballott cause he will not go out and campaign like most of the other players do,but he'll eventually make it in hopefully. if he decides to coach,he'd be a great DC Or LB coach.
Read where he has earned the most money in his career for being an undrafted player. Props to him. Plus the article says he never missed a game. Insane. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/london-fletcher-cashed-in-like-no-other-linebacker-ever-121813
he was really into training big time off season like jerry rice and walter payton were.looks like it paid off well for him.
Dude is legit and never gets the public acclaim for it. Can't believe he never missed a game. That's insane.
Back in '02, the Rams let Fletcher walk free and replaced him by drafting Robert Thomas in the first round. Took seven years before they found a replacement in James Laurinaitis. Difficult. Playing in St. Louis and Buffalo for the height of his career (Yeah I said it) meant most didn't see Fletch at the top of his game. Plus he doesn't really have much in regards to credentials that matter to the voters. 100% no way he's first ballot and tbh, I lean more on the side of him not being inducted into the Hall of Fame overall.
Fletcher is my favorite player in the NFL, it will be sad to see him go, but at the same time I am glad he is going out on top.
do you say that because YOU wouldn't vote him in or because you think the HOF committee will not vote him in? personally, he would be a first ballot for me. he's got the ring. He was by FAR the leading tackler in the NFL during the decade of the 00's (even though everyone would assume it was Ray Lewis since that was the prime of his career). He has been incredibly tough, never missing a game.
