Carson Palmer reveals thought process on retirement, open letter
Jan 10, 2018, 6:36 PM | Updated: Jan 11, 2018, 4:30 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) waves to the fans as he jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer joined the Not Just Sports with Suzy Shuster and Rich Eisen podcast to talk about his thought process on his retirement and more.
“My wife and I talked after last season,” Palmer said. “It just felt like it was one more left in me and she had one more left in her.”
It was Palmer’s first interview since the announcement came via a letter on the team’s social media and website.
That one more year was cut short when Palmer broke his arm against the Rams in Week 7, causing him to miss the rest of the season.
Palmer’s decision was heavily influenced by his family.
“I just knew. It was time,” he said. “It was time to stop taking hits. It was time to go to soccer games. I miss so much and my wife has carried the load for so long. I’m so excited about this next phase and this next chapter to be the assistant hockey coach, or who knows, but to just be around and be involved and not miss any of ’em anymore.”
The 15-year veteran said it wasn’t until the end of the season when the idea of retiring was fully realized.
Palmer said his choice of an open letter over a press conference was more of his style and also cited his former head coach Bruce Arians’ retirement happening just a day earlier.
“I don’t know if there’s a right way, I don’t know if there’s a wrong way, I think you just do it and it’s just kind of how it worked out,” he said.
