NFL

Daunte Culpepper has announced his retirement after the quarterback was unable to land a job in the off-season.

Culpepper, whose career was derailed by a major knee injury in 2005, did receive one-year contract offers from the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers for back-up jobs, but was unhappy with those deals.

"Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other areas of life," Culpepper said.

Selected 11th overall in 1999, Culpepper spent his first eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He established himself as one of the league's top quarterbacks in Minnesota.

Culpepper, 31, never was the same player after suffering a career-threatening knee injury midway through the 2005 season.

He was traded to Miami, where he played in four games in 2006 and spent last season with the Oakland Raiders, throwing five touchdowns and five interceptions in seven contests.

"When free agency began this year, I had a new sense of excitement about continuing to rebuild my career in the same way that I had rebuilt my knee after my catastrophic injury in 2005," Culpepper said.

"Unfortunately, what I found out was that the league did not share any of the optimism about me as an unrestricted free agent that I expected.

"In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year's group of quarterbacks, whether in a starting, competing or a back-up role.

"No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position.

"It seems that the stance I took in both Minnesota and Miami regarding my rights as a person and player has followed me into free agency."

During his career, Culpepper threw for 22,422 yards and 142 touchdowns with 94 interceptions in 92 career games.

His best season was in 2004 when he threw for career highs of 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns.