damn, 5'9" 238 lbs that's one stocky mofo. i can't fathom gaining 40 lbs of muscle just to look like him.
Im a huge cowboys and texans fan. I loved Dat. He really did play with a lot of heart and it was fun to watch an undersized LB take down guys a lot bigger than him. He proved many people wrong in college and the NFL. Im happy the Cowboys gave him a chance and he came through big time. This sucks and I wish nothing but the best for him.
Totally concur with all the praise for Dat Nguyen. I'm not surprised to hear that he's retiring. Unfortunately the problem with hustle players in any sport who make up lack of size or strength with hustle is their susceptability to injury. From being a smaller guy who has always relied on quickness and tenacity over power in most sports I can tell you it takes a toll.
I remember watching Dat Nguyen in college, and repeatedly hearing about how he was too small and too slow to be an NFL linebacker. One time I saw him in person, and couldn't believe it because he looked shorter than 5'9". Then I saw him record 20 solo tackles in a nationally televised game, and strip and force a fumble on an FSU quarterback to give the Aggies a chance to win the game. All he did was make plays. He wasn't a star in the NFL, but he made the most of his talent. The only Cowboy I could root for.
That really sucks. Dat was the man and I loved watching him play, not a big fan of the cowboys though. 172 tackles in one season? That's like the number of tackles our entire linebacking crew had the entire season!
Why can't you quit him? (Linebacker Mountain) Rockport's finest. They've been speculating this since the end of the regular season up here. It is sad, but I'd rather him leave knowing he's still able to walk, etc. Some guys don't know when to hang it up... and the extra coin they stack is not worth the lack of enjoyment they have spending it (from the pain, ramifications, etc.). Etc. Etc.
