Sports
Ex-Bergen Catholic Football Player Released By Houston Texans
Brian Cushing said, 'There wasn't a day in 9 years I didn't thank God for allowing me to compete as a Texan.'
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Brian Cushing, a former star football player for Bergen Catholic High School, has been released by the NFL's Houston Texans.
The Texans released Cushing on Tuesday. He was a standout two-way player at Bergen Catholic and was named The Record's 2004 North Jersey Player of the Year.
"This is my lifestyle, my profession, my heart and soul. There wasn’t a day in nine years I didn’t thank God for allowing me to compete as a Texan," Cushing, 31, said in the Instagram post. "You can say a lot of things about me, but I left it all out there every single Sunday."
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Cushing was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009. He's logged 664 tackles in this nine-year career. He ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in interceptions, forced fumbles and sacks.
Cal McNair, the Texans' vice chairman and chief operating officer, said "few players have meant more to the Texans franchise over the course of the last nine seasons" more than Cushing has.
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"His work ethic, toughness and leadership, not only as a member of the team, but in the Houston community, is to be commended," McNair said.
The Texans will save $7.6 million by releasing Cushing.
Here is Cushing's Instagram post:
For some reason you always think this day will never come. You wish you could play forever and never have to worry about not wearing that jersey again. Anyone who says that “it’s just a game," is full of shit. This is my lifestyle, my profession, my heart and soul. There wasn’t a day in 9 years I didn’t thank God for allowing me to compete as a Texan. You can say a lot of things about me, but I left it all out there every single Sunday. I would do anything to try and be out there for the fans and my teammates. It’s the ultimate team game where you have to love and trust all 11 guys on the field that their intention is to win and not let each other down. Thank you Houston for embracing me like a son from day 1. From getting married here to having both our boys born here. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to experience both of those life changing moments. It was the toughest yet best 9 years of my life. Thank you to the Mcnair family for drafting me here and changing my life forever. I could not have asked for better ownership, a family that truly cares about their players. Thank you to Rick Smith and Coach Kubiak for originally bringing me here and helping me grow up both on and off the field. Thank you Coach O’Brien and Brian Gaine for allowing me to continue to live out my dream. I apologize I wasn’t able to bring a super bowl to Houston, but I can tell you they are not far off. Once again thank you for an incredible 9 years and memories that will last a lifetime.
A post shared by Brian Cushing (@brian56cushing) on Feb 20, 2018 at 10:32am PST
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Photo: Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing talks with teammates on the sideline during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars Dec. 17. (Associated Press Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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