As Davis goes, he leaves the door open

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 21, 2002 | by Kamon Simpson

ENGLEWOOD - As Ferris Bueller said at the end of the movie credits, "You're still here? It's over. Go home."

The long kiss goodnight for Terrell Davis is starting to feel that way, but he stood at a podium at Denver Broncos headquarters Tuesday, wrapping up his farewell tour with one last news

conference.

Davis avoided the "R" word - NFL rules prohibit him from announcing his retirement while he is on injured reserve. General manager Ted Sundquist said that if Davis reaches that decision, the announcement will come before his roster bonus is due next spring - holding out hope that medical science will advance by leaps and bounds over the next few months.

"This is not a retirement party," Davis said. "I'm going to do everything in my power to see if I can possibly make a return to the field again. Barring a miracle, from what I'm hearing, this is it. But, again, I have my fingers crossed."

The reality is that Davis, who turns 30 in October, hasn't played a full season since 1998 and has been a caricature of his former greatness over the past three seasons. Any hopes for one more 1,400- yard season seem to be the most extreme wishful thinking.

"I'm at peace with it," Davis said. "I've had time to think about what my options are. This didn't come as a total surprise to me because of the situation I was going through the past three years. I've pretty much been a bystander, watching the games. So the possibility of never playing this game again sort of crept into my mind. You have to prepare yourself for that, and I think I have."

Davis said he was open to the possibility of a career in broadcasting, and that he might even try his hand at acting. First on his agenda is trying to call former teammate John Elway - a conspicuous absence from Monday night's farewell appearance at Invesco Field - to ask him for advice on life after football.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said he was "praying for a miracle," that would allow Davis to return to the game. But he also talked about throwing Davis a grand retirement party at the proper time, retiring his jersey, placing him in the Broncos' Ring of Fame, and lobbying for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Terrell was the greatest player in the National Football League the years that we won the Super Bowl," Bowlen said. "He was the greatest player on the Denver Broncos. When you own a football team for 18 years, you realize those kinds of players come along once in a career. If I ever get another running back as good as Terrell Davis has been these past seven years, I'll be very, very lucky."

In lieu of a retirement ceremony, Bowlen sounded an awful lot like he was closing the chapter on the Davis career Tuesday, which was only appropriate. The credits have rolled, and it's time for everyone, most of all the star of this show, to go home and get on with their lives.

- Kamon Simpson may be reached at 636-0215 or ksimpson@gazette.com