Larry Foote Talks About Handling Retirement Decision
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Cardinals linebacker and former Steeler Larry Foote joined The Fan Morning Show on Friday and talked about his future retirement.
He said he isn't sure yet that he'll be back for another season.
"I've got to take a month and figure out if I still want to play," Foote said. "Sit down with the wife, the kids, and try to figure it out, if I'm going to play again. [Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians] says he wants me back, so that's a good thing, always being wanted. But I'm going to figure it out."
He explained that he still loves the game but can feel the end drawing near.
"I don't feel mentally like [it's] my fifth year in the league," Foote said. "One scary thing about it is there's a little excitement about other things, and that's when I know I'm almost out the door. Because I'm definitely passionate about the game, still want to play it, but there is a little excitement about not having a schedule, doing whatever I want to do. I still want to play. I want to get the ring. In two months, I'm going to see how my body feels, and mentally, do I want to go for that offseason workout schedule. I'll know by March."
Having the careers of former teammates Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel, James Harrison and Ike Taylor potentially coming to an end, as well, has made him feel sentimental.
"It's kind of sad," Foote said. "You start wishing that you could go back, and we could be young again, because I don't want those guys to retire ... but the end is coming."
But he was sure to note that showing signs of nearing the end doesn't necessarily mean you can't do what needs to be done on the field.
"During the week I know I've got a feeling like, I can't believe I'm still playing," Foote said. "My body just won't get going during the week. The last two years it's been like that. Training camp, you just can't muster it up, and it's frustrating ... but Sunday, it's just like riding a bike. It just comes to me. My body's ready to go."
The interview can be heard here:
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