💬 If we were only so lucky. "Mel Kiper said he’d retire in 2018 if Jimmy Clausen wasn’t a successful NFL QB – well, here we are…"

[TerryP]

Let us be the first to wish Mel Kiper Jr. a happy retirement.

What, you didn’t realize Kiper was calling it quits?

That’s probably because it’s been awhile since Mel’s official announcement way back in 2010. If your memory needs to be jogged a bit, he did it while debating ESPN foil Todd McShay on “NFL Live” leading up to that year’s draft.

The topic? The NFL future of then-Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

Kiper had Clausen ranked as the fourth best prospect in the entire 2010 NFL Draft even though most other draft pundits had the QB projected to go in the second round (Clausen was subsequently selected 48th overall by the Carolina Panthers). At the time, people accused Kiper of being biased since he and Clausen shared the same agent, Gary Wichard.

But Kiper only dug in his heels further, making this infamous proclamation on ESPN:

“If Jimmy Clausen is not a successful quarterback in the NFL, I’m done. That’s it. I’m out.”

Replied McShay: “What is your time frame, Mel? When do we make that assessment?”

Kiper: “I want eight years.”

McShay: “It will only take three years, Mel. We can tell inside three years.”

Kiper: “I want eight.”

Mel Kiper said he’d retire in 2018 if Jimmy Clausen wasn’t a successful NFL QB - well, here we are…

 

[rammerjammer]

Well..........with that hair, he can always be a televangelist.

 

[rick4bama]

So do we get him a going away gifts too? :bolt:

 

[EasyTider]

He can move in with all the celebrities that were leaving the country if Trump won election.

 

[planomateo]

His mouth wrote a check his ass won't cash.

 

[JoshB]

He actually announced his retirement several years ago. I think he said the 2014 draft would be his last. I know that was the last year he did his Draft Guide (and say what you will about him and his mock drafts/predictions but those draft guides were incredibly detailed and HUGE). I think all he does with ESPN now is make mock drafts.

 

[TerryP]

I think all he does with ESPN now is make mock drafts.

Dari and Mel.

Mel Kiper

I wonder if he asked for permission to use this image?