Tuesday by the Philadelphia Eagles, ending an often-dynamic eight-year
run that was marred by various injuries.
A former All-Pro, the 5-foot-10 Westbrook led
the league in yards from scrimmage in 2007 with 2,104. He rushed for
1,333 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns that season.
But he spent much of last season on the
sidelines. Westbrook missed eight games with a pair of concussions and
an ankle injury. Westbrook had only two touchdowns in 2009.
He was due $7.25 million next season.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said he called Westbrook
with the news Tuesday morning. Reid said Westbrook should still have an
opportunity to play for another team.
“Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all
time and he is an even a better person and leader,” Reid said. “In my
mind, there has not been a more versatile running back that the NFL has
seen.”
Westbrook’s season went south on Oct. 26 when
his helmet collided with linebacker London Fletcher‘s right knee and he
suffered a concussion. Westbrook missed the last five games after
suffering his second concussion in three weeks against San Diego on Nov.
15. He was cleared to return for the postseason.
He has rushed for 5,995 yards in eight seasons
in Philadelphia and caught 426 passes for 3,790 yards. The 30-year-old
Westbrook has accounted for 68 touchdowns rushing, receiving and on punt
returns.
Westbrook, a third-round pick out of Villanova
in the 2002 draft, is Philadelphia’s career leader in yards from
scrimmage (9,785). He also ranks second in yards rushing (5,995) behind
Wilbert Montgomery and third in receptions (426) behind Harold
Carmichael and Pete Retzlaff.
Westbrook’s 68 total touchdowns are third in
team history behind Carmichael and Steve Van Buren. He holds the
franchise single-season record for most scrimmage yards in a season (a
league-leading 2,104 in 2007) and most receptions in a season (90 in
2007).
He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark 20 times
(including playoffs) during his career, tying for second-most in club
history.
“Brian Westbrook is one of the most
electrifying players in the history of this franchise and is certainly
also one of the most popular,” Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said. “He
was personally one of the my favorite players to watch each and every
Sunday and his playmaking abilities, leadership and values will be
missed.”