X

Vince Young Not Accepted to NFL Veterans Combine: Latest Details and Reaction

Matt Fitzgerald@@MattFitz_geraldX.com LogoCorrespondent IIIMarch 9, 2015

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young before the NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Vince Young has been aspiring to keep his football career alive, but the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback won't have the chance to show off his skills at the NFL's inaugural veterans combine on March 22.    

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reported Monday that Young was denied admission to the exclusive event:

Brian T. Smith @ChronBrianSmith

Vince Young was not accepted to and won't attend the NFL Veterans Combine on March 22 in Phoenix, according to a representative for Young.

Brian T. Smith @ChronBrianSmith

Young had planned to attend the first-ever veterans combine to take one more shot at returning to the NFL.

The combine will take place in Phoenix at the Arizona Cardinals' facility, allowing experienced pros to have a shot at wowing NFL personnel men in the hopes of landing a new contract.

After a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns last year, Young, 31, was released and announced his retirement in June 2014. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Feb. 27 that Young registered for the combine.

Nina Mandell of USA Today reported what Director of Player Development Matt Birk had to say about the upcoming showcase in the desert:

I think the important thing is guys, they want a chance to chase their dreams and so for a lot of them maybe they went to a training camp and it didn't work out. Maybe they feel like they still have it in them or they still want to exhaust all of their possibilities before they move on with their life. Some of these guys will get signed with NFL clubs; some will not. This opportunity will also give them closure even it's not the desired outcome they want.

Unfortunately, Young won't even be among the 100 prospective participants because he didn't make the cut to begin with.

Bleacher Report's Michael Tanier weighed in on Monday's news:

Mike Tanier @MikeTanier

Vince Young 's Members Only jacket just refused to let him wear it.

Young was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 after being the third overall pick in that year's draft by the Tennessee Titans. The team never fully bought into him as the long-term answer under center, though.

Flawed mechanics, inaccuracy and an inability to grasp complex NFL schematics prevented Young from building on his early momentum. The dual-threat former national champion at Texas hasn't played in an NFL game since 2011 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.     

Whatever glimmer of hope Young had of catching on in an NFL training camp may be dashed with this veterans combine spurn. Young will have to hope he's granted a workout through some other means. He currently works for the University of Texas' Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.