NuKeese Richardsons wild ride in football appears to be finished.
His journey began with small-town stardom in Pahokee and took him as high as Neyland Stadium, followed by stops in Virginia and Kansas.
Whats next for Richardson? A job.
I aint playing football anymore, he said in a brief interview. I dont want to. I just decided Im ready to work. Things happen. Im over it.
He did not specify what kind of work he will be doing, but said he is relocating from South Florida to New York. Richardson has family in the Syracuse area.
Richardson is 21 years old and still has eligibility, so his retirement might not be final. If he is still in football shape and can qualify academically, a school might take a chance on him.
He was an all-America wide receiver at Pahokee High School in 2008 and was committed to Florida before switching to Tennessee on signing day. He was with the Volunteers less than one season in 2009 before an arrest led to his dismissal. He transferred to Hampton, an FCS program, in Spring 2010, but never played for the school. His last attempt to restart his career was at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
While his college career did not go the way he wanted, Richardson left Pahokee as one of the most accomplished football players in Palm Beach County history. He was exceptional. Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin fought over this guy.