Mr. P Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Tight end Jake Ballard, who started 13 regular-season games and three postseason games for the 2011 Giants, has retired from the NFL. Ballard tore an ACL during New York’s Super Bowl XLVI win over the Patriots. “Yesterday I made the difficult decision to retire from the game of football,” Ballard said in a statement. “I love this game and have put my heart and soul into it for as long as I can remember. After sustaining a serious knee injury while playing for the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, my body never felt the same. Having a quality of life after football is very important to me and I have witnessed it taken away from others. I will miss the game tremendously, but I am ready for this next chapter in my life. It was an honor and a privilege to play for the NY Giants, New England Patriots, and most recently the Arizona Cardinals. I met amazing people from all of my teammates, to opponents, to trainers, to coaches, to owners, and everyone in between. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your fraternity and I wish you all nothing but success.” In 2012, the Giants waived Ballard, hoping to slide him through to injured reserve. The Patriots claimed Ballard on waivers. The Patriots eventually released Ballard, and he appeared in eight games for the Cardinals last season, with three starts. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/06/jake-ballard-retires-from-the-nfl/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Dude gave his all for that Super Bowl ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueInCanada Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I wonder if there is just something about playing New York Giants football that leaves players physically drained. Wilson Ballard Smith Nicks Phillips Giants just seem to spit players out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I wonder if there is just something about playing New York Giants football that leaves players physically drained. Wilson Ballard Smith Nicks Phillips Giants just seem to spit players out. I've heard Nicks might not even make the roster in Indy. I hope Beckham is not plagued by injury his whole four years in a Giants uniform like Nicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 And on Ballard, he was probably the last good TE the Giants had. Yes, we had the black unicorn, but he was not a Coughlin type and didn't fit Gilly's offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelmo Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 One of my favorite players from that team. Slow as anything, but knew how to run a route, knew how to find the hole in a zone, knew how to catch the ball, and played with everything he had. Thanks for everything Jake. -Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashTalker92 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 In the last Giants winning Super Bowl,Remember seeing him trying to run on that sideline and he just fell with extreme pain? I wounder if that was the turning point. Thanks jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sephiroth Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Darn it. I was hoping he'd get cut and we'd pick him up again. I love players like Ballard. Limited physically, but all heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigblue25 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Darn it. I was hoping he'd get cut and we'd pick him up again. I love players like Ballard. Limited physically, but all heart. I'm hoping they trade for Housler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 One of my favorite players from that team. Slow as anything, but knew how to run a route, knew how to find the hole in a zone, knew how to catch the ball, and played with everything he had. Thanks for everything Jake. -Z x 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeMesiS Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Geez, sorry hear about that. He gave it all for the Giants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PxOLG-VGk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrashTalker92 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Geez, sorry hear about that. He gave it all for the Giants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PxOLG-VGk Looking back. He's an awesome TE. Yeah he's not a V8 mustang but neither is Jason witten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Wagon Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Geez, sorry hear about that. He gave it all for the Giants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PxOLG-VGk LOL....its very noticeable in this vid......none of the DBs...and in many cases the LBs....wanted any part of tackling this guy.....the ones that would unload.....bounced. Good Giant....love to have someone like him this season. C. Wagno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sephiroth Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 LOL....its very noticeable in this vid......none of the DBs...and in many cases the LBs....wanted any part of tackling this guy.....the ones that would unload.....bounced. Good Giant....love to have someone like him this season. C. Wagno Another thing... how the hell did that guy get open? He rounded off just about every route he ran. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueInCanada Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Another thing... how the hell did that guy get open? He rounded off just about every route he ran. Not to mention he was probably slower then some of the O-line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now