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broncofaninfla
09-10-2008, 01:18 PM
AP-
Five-time Pro Bowler and former Denver Broncos linebacker Al Wilson officially announced his retirement Wednesday.


Wilson, 31, informed the NFL that he is giving up thoughts of coming back to the league. He suffered a neck injury on Dec. 3, 2006, and was never able to get back to the field. The Broncos traded him to the New York Giants in 2007, but the trade was voided when the Giants wouldn't pass him on the physical.

Doctors gave Wilson the clearance to try to play this season, but not having secured a new team, Wilson decided that his career has come to an end.

"I thank all my fans from my high school and college days in Tennessee on into my time in the NFL and Denver for their continued love and support throughout the years," Wilson said on the JOCKlife.com Web site. "I was truly blessed to play the game I love and I am forever grateful to those that believed and entrusted in me. Playing for my fans and my teammates made the game of football everything to me."

Wilson was a first-round choice of the Broncos in 1999 and he was the leader of the Broncos defense during his playing days. In eight seasons, he has 712 tackles, 21½ sacks, five interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

Wilson is currently pursuing an injury grievance against the Broncos.

BeefStew25
09-10-2008, 01:20 PM
I hope Al sticks it to the Broncos. Shanny should have shelved him for a year on the IR with full pay as a thank you to Al for his tireless work, and as a carrot out in front of the younger players so they know we take care of players that give it their all for a long time.

Davii
09-10-2008, 01:21 PM
Fair winds and following seas Al.

We've missed you since you got hurt, and it doesn't seem your abilities or leadership have been replaced yet.

I don't understand the injury grievance, but if you're right, more power to you.

Good luck in all you do Al, thanks for the memories.

OB
09-10-2008, 01:31 PM
:Cry:

Al your the greatest :salute:

Best of luck to ya

(I cant believe he's only 31 - damn im old)

dogfish
09-10-2008, 01:32 PM
al wilson played the game the right way and left it all on the field, every time he was out there-- he played hurt and never complained, and spent his whole career behind a crap D-line and still produced. . . in his lengthy "exit interview" with one of the local denver stations, the thanks and respect that he extended to broncos fans was probably the most sincere i've ever heard from an athlete. . .


thanks for all your hard work, big al!


:salute:

GEM
09-10-2008, 01:52 PM
My Al Wilson poster is still up in the garage....and it isn't coming down. :rockon:

BigDaddyBronco
09-10-2008, 02:01 PM
At least we didn't have to see him in a Lions jersey or something. That would have sucked.

MileHighWrath
09-10-2008, 02:19 PM
Good luck Al, thanks for everything, I wish you nothing but good health, happiness and prosperity.

tubby
09-10-2008, 02:20 PM
:salute:

BIG AL

hamrob
09-10-2008, 02:30 PM
I wish him the best.

Retired_Member_001
09-10-2008, 03:01 PM
I wish we could let him know that we as fans have so much respect for him. The way we treated him was disgusting, and what's even more disgusting is the way our medical staff treated him (not telling him everything about the injury). One of my all time favourite athletes, a great role model for young athletes. :salute:

Denver Native (Carol)
09-10-2008, 03:26 PM
My best to Al :salute:

I found the following, and if I remember correctly, the Broncos are the ones who sent Al to specialists. If this article is accurate, I am not sure why it would be up to the Broncos to provide him with written medical warnings that he was playing with a bad neck injury. Would this not come from the medical specialists?

http://www.broncosgab.com/2008/07/10/wilson-files-paperwork-for-injury-grievance-against-broncos/

Wilson Files Paperwork for Injury Grievance Against Broncos
Posted by Matt Loede on July 10th, 2008 filed in News

From John Clayton’s Blog Earlier today: Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson has filed the paperwork for his injury grievance against the Broncos and should learn about a decision in about 45 days. Wilson is claiming the Broncos didn’t provide him with written medical warnings he was playing with a bad neck injury. He continued playing and wasn’t able to get a job after he was released by the Broncos last season.

SarahKay
09-10-2008, 03:52 PM
God speed Al Wilson.. you were fun to watch on the field!! :beer:

Lonestar
09-10-2008, 04:03 PM
My best to Al :salute:

I found the following, and if I remember correctly, the Broncos are the ones who sent Al to specialists. If this article is accurate, I am not sure why it would be up to the Broncos to provide him with written medical warnings that he was playing with a bad neck injury. Would this not come from the medical specialists?

http://www.broncosgab.com/2008/07/10/wilson-files-paperwork-for-injury-grievance-against-broncos/

Wilson Files Paperwork for Injury Grievance Against Broncos
Posted by Matt Loede on July 10th, 2008 filed in News

From John Clayton’s Blog Earlier today: Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson has filed the paperwork for his injury grievance against the Broncos and should learn about a decision in about 45 days. Wilson is claiming the Broncos didn’t provide him with written medical warnings he was playing with a bad neck injury. He continued playing and wasn’t able to get a job after he was released by the Broncos last season.


I guess I did not see how he could not have known there was an issue. I suspect he did not want to know to continue playing.. Alot like merriman this year..

yardog
09-10-2008, 04:43 PM
I guess I did not see how he could not have known there was an issue. I suspect he did not want to know to continue playing.. Alot like merriman this year..

I was thinking the same thing Jr and we only tried to trade him so he could continue to play or prove the point of his injury. I just don't see why he would file a injury grievance if the Broncos told him about the neck. Unless it's only the money he's after.

Slick
09-10-2008, 05:22 PM
He was an on the field leader going back to his days at Tennessee. When we got him late in the first round, I knew we had a field general. I miss his passion and intensity. He was a stud.

I will continue to wear his jersey with pride.

SoCalImport
09-10-2008, 05:33 PM
Guys like Big Al are blessed with the talent to play at this level and the brains to make the most of it.
Career ending injury not withstanding. If He's able to live our His years in relatively good health, Mr.Wilson is one lucky SOB.

All the best going into life after pro football.

Thanks for being a Great Bronco:)

Hobe
09-10-2008, 05:40 PM
My best to Al :salute:

I found the following, and if I remember correctly, the Broncos are the ones who sent Al to specialists. If this article is accurate, I am not sure why it would be up to the Broncos to provide him with written medical warnings that he was playing with a bad neck injury. Would this not come from the medical specialists?

http://www.broncosgab.com/2008/07/10/wilson-files-paperwork-for-injury-grievance-against-broncos/

Wilson Files Paperwork for Injury Grievance Against Broncos
Posted by Matt Loede on July 10th, 2008 filed in News

From John Clayton’s Blog Earlier today: Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson has filed the paperwork for his injury grievance against the Broncos and should learn about a decision in about 45 days. Wilson is claiming the Broncos didn’t provide him with written medical warnings he was playing with a bad neck injury. He continued playing and wasn’t able to get a job after he was released by the Broncos last season.

The handling of Al Wilson is one the Shanny's and the Broncos biggest mistake.

Al :salute:

hamrob
09-10-2008, 05:41 PM
I was thinking the same thing Jr and we only tried to trade him so he could continue to play or prove the point of his injury. I just don't see why he would file a injury grievance if the Broncos told him about the neck. Unless it's only the money he's after.The guy was hurt playing football. His injury is what has prevented him from fulfilling his contract. Anytime that happens, there's usually an injury settlement. Because he didn't pass the physical with the Giants, he remained our property and he and the Broncos have to conclude what that settlement should look like.

That could be the reason...why the Broncos haven't said more about his playing days with them. There waiting for that to get over with.

SoCalImport
09-10-2008, 05:51 PM
The guy was hurt playing football. His injury is what has prevented him from fulfilling his contract. Anytime that happens, there's usually an injury settlement. Because he didn't pass the physical with the Giants, he remained our property and he and the Broncos have to conclude what that settlement should look like.

That could be the reason...why the Broncos haven't said more about his playing days with them. There waiting for that to get over with.

Great observation. Becuase of the trade (non-trade) I hadn't even thought about the Broncos reamaining obligation.

Davii
09-10-2008, 06:47 PM
I wonder if he'd still be better than our current options at MLB?

MOtorboat
09-10-2008, 06:49 PM
I wonder if he'd still be better than our current options at MLB?

Not if he's risking his life to do it.

Davii
09-10-2008, 07:03 PM
Not if he's risking his life to do it.

The retirement story said he's cleared to play now but didn't find a team.

Benetto
09-10-2008, 07:38 PM
I hope Al sticks it to the Broncos. Shanny should have shelved him for a year on the IR with full pay as a thank you to Al for his tireless work, and as a carrot out in front of the younger players so they know we take care of players that give it their all for a long time.
This post needed to be quoted and brought up again...

jrelway
09-10-2008, 08:12 PM
ahhhh. i miss al wilson. good luck to him.

dogfish
09-10-2008, 08:23 PM
This post needed to be quoted and brought up again...

agreed. . . we gave TD, easy ed, rod and matt lepsis that treatment-- i think wilson earned it just as much as those guys. . . i mean, sure, he never won a league MVP like terrell did, but the guy brought the exact same type of work ethic and dedication as those others. . . he anchored some solid defenses that look awfully good in comparison to the last year or so, and played at a pro bowl level for most of his career here. . . if all our other aging stars had earned enough loyalty from the organization that they were given a chance (or two) to come back that essentially turned into a paid year off, then wilson deserved the same. . . JMO. . .

AlWilsonizKING
09-10-2008, 11:36 PM
Thanks for the "Hits" Al!!! You'll always be KING in my book!!!

:salute::salute::salute::salute::salute:

"He's belted by AL WILSON!!!!!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khh7rnk0nOs&feature=related)
^^:08 and :46 are the best!!!^^



PEACE!!!

tomjonesrocks
09-11-2008, 12:04 PM
The rift between Al and the team is really sad. They need to take care of the guy and mend those fences.

To echo a previous poster though--likewise am glad I won't have to watch Al playing in another team's jersey--especially if he was risking paralysis to do it.

SmilinAssasSin27
09-11-2008, 04:31 PM
No ring, but a Title w/ the Vols....Rocky Top, Al. Rocky Top.

pnbronco
09-11-2008, 06:49 PM
He was an on the field leader going back to his days at Tennessee. When we got him late in the first round, I knew we had a field general. I miss his passion and intensity. He was a stud.

I will continue to wear his jersey with pride.

Slick you said this so well, I will continue to wear mine too. I remember that game and tears just filled my eyes up when he was being carted off the field. The man was such a complete and totaly class act in every sense of the word. This is one man I will always, always miss but I'm so glad he gets to walk into every one of his son's future activities. Best of luck in all you do Al...:salute:

itsdasteve
09-11-2008, 06:55 PM
Good Luck to Al Wilson. He was a great Bronco. Shanahan and the organization basically dismissed him. The fans have not. He has provided us with many memories.


Mile High Salute to Al Wilson


:salute: