Undersized and overmatched, Justin Forsett had plenty of reasons to give up on becoming a full-time NFL starter. He was drafted and cut by the Seahawks, signed and cut by the Colts and re-signed by the Seahawks before seeing his contract expire. Short stints in Houston (2012) and Jacksonville (2013) yielded no starts and little in the way of job security.
It wasn't until 2014 at age 29 that Forsett proved them all wrong. A 1,266-yard, eight-touchdown campaign served as a bright spot for the 10-6 Ravens. It was a career apex that Forsett can happily take into retirement, which he officially announced on Wednesday.
"It's time," Forsett told the website Sports Spectrum. "I'm officially announcing my retirement from the game I love. It's been an amazing ride and I'm grateful for every moment. My career has brought so many great people into my life, and I asked some of them to join me in saying goodbye.
"Against all odds, critics, and naysayers, I accomplished something great. Scouts measured my height and said I was too short. They measured my 40-yard dash and said I was too slow. They looked at my build and said I wouldn't last. But they couldn't measure my heart, my faith, and my perseverance.
"I am living proof that dreams come true and God answers prayers, and I thank God everyday for the opportunity to live out my dream."
Forsett hangs up the cleats after a handful of games with the Denver Broncos at the end of 2016. It was his seventh NFL team.
Forsett finishes his career with 820 rushes for 3,890 yards and 19 touchdowns.
