The Curious Case Of Su'a Cravens

Su’a Cravens might have been the Washington Redskins’ version of Sandy Koufax, or Rocky Marciano, or Billy Sims, or legendary golfer Bobby Jones. He might have developed into a Mark Spitz or Bjorn Borg.

They’re just a few of the athletes who retired of their own accord much too early in their careers.

Then again, at least they had careers. At least they played their chosen sport for several seasons before deciding they’d had enough.

I’m betting Cravens won’t allow himself – or us for that matter – to fully appreciate what he could have become as an NFL safety. Eleven regular-season games will have to do.

In case you don’t know it, Cravens, the Redskins’ second-round pick a year ago out of Southern Cal and expected to be a valuable starter this season, told the team late in training camp that he was quitting football.

The Redskins were purportedly shocked and, after initially pressuring him to reconsider, finally relented after two weeks and placed Cravens on the “exempt/left squad list.” He can’t play until 2018, if he wants.