At just 23, San Francisco 49ers RB Glen Coffee decided to retire on Friday.
A backup last year to Frank Gore, Coffee made the abrupt announcement two days before the 49ers' first preseason game at Indianapolis.
"This has been a tough decision for me to make, but at this time in my life I feel it is best for me that I move on from football," Coffee said in a statement, via the San Jose Mercury News.
"I appreciate what the 49ers, my teammates and coaches have done for me, and I wish them a blessed season and all the best in the future."
The 49ers selected Coffee with the 74th overall pick in 2009.
San Francisco coach Mike Singletary was surprised by Coffee's retirement.
"I appreciate his honesty and I appreciate him not coming out here and just going through the motions," he said.
It's weird to see, but with all the pro athletes you see that play their sport just because they're good at it or for the paycheck this is a good change of pace. Play football because you love it, and if you don't then move on and do something that you will love.
Reminds me of DT Quinn Pitcock. Colts drafted him I think three years ago out of Ohio State, had a pretty promising rookie year, then he was driving to camp the next season and just decided to retire. Indy released him or whatever a few weeks ago and like the next day he said he wanted to come back to the NFL and signed with Seattle. Weird stuff, like he didn't want to play for the Colts. He said he retired because he had a video game addiction, really.
49ers RB Glen Coffee, 23, RETIRES from NFL
