Carolina Panthers • NFL

Old Quarterbacks Never Die They Just Sign One-Year Contracts

Yes that really is Vinnie Testaverde putting on a Panthers uniform, and yes he’ll probably start on Sunday, and yes he really will turn 44-years old a few weeks from now. With Jake Delhome out for the season and David Carr nursing an injury, Carolina hit the panic button and in through the door walked the NFL’s version of Dick Clark.

People have made a lot of hay about the generation gap Brett Favre is experiencing with his teammates, but consider this: When Testaverde was drafted a full two decades ago, some of his new teammates were still in diapers and the second oldest player on the roster, kicker John Kasay, hadn’t even graduated high school. Vinnie’s been around so long, he’s thrown more passes in his career than all the quarterbacks who have ever played for the Panthers, combined.

On the other hand, you have to hand it to the man for still being able to play. Just look at the list of notable people born in 1963 and you won’t find many who are still kickin’ it old school. Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, and Hakeem Olajuwon are all long retired. Brian Boitano hasn’t skated professionally since 1994 and Mark McGwire hung up his cleats and steroids in 2001. Bret Michaels is over the hill (but no one’s told him yet it seems) and Whitney Houston lost it a long time ago.

So congratulations Vinnie for finding a team desperate enough to pay you a cash money salary for a year.

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