One of the most difficult decisions that a professional athlete can make is figuring out when it is time to call it quits and retire from the game they grew up playing. However, it appears veteran running back Kenyan Drake has made that decision.
Josina Anderson of The Athletic posted a text message response she received from running back Kenyan Drake about whether he was retiring and he confirmed the news himself.
“Yes it is. It felt like the right time. I love the game, but I don’t love the business. I’m at peace with the decision. I’m healthy and ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
Kenyan Drake as bounced around throughout his NFL career as he has played for the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders throughout his eight-year career. He finishes with 104 games played and 869 carries for 3,866 yards (4.4 yards per rushing attempt) with 33 rushing touchdowns while also having 218 receptions for 1,655 yards (7.6 yards per catch) with eight receiving touchdowns.
Definitely not a bad career for the third-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Congratulations to Kenyan Drake for an outstanding NFL career.
How will people remember Kenyan Drake’s NFL career?
Kenyan Drake was a solid rotational running back throughout his career and while we do not know exactly what “the business” exactly means in terms of his text message to Josina Anderson, it appears teams gave up on him. In 2022, he had 109 carries for the Baltimore Ravens and finished with 254 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns while having 30 catches and an additional receiving touchdown.
However, things seemingly have changed as he was not viewed as the running back who had 10 rushing touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 season and saw a limited role. Drake was heading into his age-30 season and the NFL thought process is that running backs hit that wall later in their career so maybe he was just not seeing a representable contract.
He only saw four total touches in three games in 2023 but he will be remembered for his 2020 season with the Cards and helping a lot of fantasy managers that season.
