Passing on Pats, Super Bowl drop

LaDainian Tomlinson, ball carrier (San Diego Chargers, 2001-09; New York Jet, 2010-11): For me, it’s never about winning a Super Bowl. I made five playoff appearances with the Chargers (having reached the AFC championship in the 2007 season) and one with the Jets (again, for the conference championship game), but our teams didn’t have never reached the Super Bowl. There is so much to do to win a team championship, and injuries seemed to come at the wrong time. I realize that winning a title is not technically a decision, but it’s the only thing that has escaped my football career.

James Jones, wide receiver (Green Bay Packers, 2007-2013, 2015; Oakland Raiders, 2014): I had a drop in our Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it was a big blow. It was our first practice in the third quarter and we faced a third and a 5 at our own 25. Cornerback Will Gay sapped me on a side road, and it seemed like Aaron Rodgers’ pass was going to be intercepted. Gay threw his hands over the ball but failed, causing the ball to slide over me. If I had caught up, I would have scored a 75 yard touchdown in the Super Bowl and would probably still play today.

DeAngelo Hall, cornerback (Atlanta Falcons, 2004-07; Oakland Raiders, 2008; Washington Redskins, 2008-2017): When I signed up to play half the season with Washington in 2008, there was a line in my contract that said the team couldn’t franchise me next season. I remember negotiations for a new deal with Washington were not going well, and there were other teams in the photo, including New England. At the time, the players had not signed short-term contracts, but Randy Moss had just signed a $ 27 million, three-year contract with the Patriots. I couldn’t believe it. In my own contract discussions with the Pats, I remember Bill Belichick telling me that they couldn’t give me the contract that Moss had signed. As a young and greedy, I chose to stay in Washington for a long-term contract (six years, $ 54 million), which ultimately earned me the same annual salary as Moss. Over a few million, I could have changed my heritage by being part of this dynasty. It was on the table for me, and I wish I had made the decision to take less money and play for Belichick.

Nate Burleson, wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings, 2003-05; Seattle Seahawks, 2006-09; Detroit Lions 2010-13): My biggest regret? Try to save this pizza while driving. I am very serious. I swerved three or four times in this 2013 accident and I remember getting out of the car to check my legs. There was a short sigh of relief when I realized that my legs were fine, but it was then that I noticed that my arm was broken (an injury that required surgery). I looked down and I remember saying out loud, “I just ruined OUR season.” The Lions were 2-1 at the time and I had just recorded a 100-yard receiving game. We were in the right direction, then I missed seven games. We finished 7-9 that year (going 1-5 in the home stretch after my return) and missed the playoffs. And it ended up being my last season in the NFL.

Who knows how this season would have gone or how many more years I would have been in the league if it weren’t for this deep-fried pizza. For the record, however, I always eat it all the time. I just had it delivered now.