Brandon Aiyuk Accidentally Confirms Retirement
The steps for Aiyuk to return to the NFL are simple. Apply for reinstatement. Get approved.
Aiyuk’s legal issues provide a small snag for the process. He presently has a warrant for his arrest out of Santa Clara County for “exhibition of speed”. Roger Goodell probably isn’t going to reinstate a player in active violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Aiyuk’s best course of action is to hire a lawyer to take care of the warrant, and then he can make an effort to return to football.
Aiyuk’s lack of understanding, or willingness to understand, the process is the biggest obstacle to a return.
“I will not be reinstating with (the 49ers) or ever doing any kind of business with them.” Aiyuk wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season! #RAISEHAIL”
Raise Hail is the motto of the Commanders, whose Quarterback is presently at odds with Aiyuk.
Here’s the problem for the former Wide Receiver. The only way for him to return to the league is to apply for reinstatement. In accordance with the NFL Constitution, when the 49ers placed Aiyuk on their Reserve/Left Squad list, after five days he became a Retired Player. Per Section 17.9 “A Retired Player shall not be eligible to play football in the League until he shall have been reinstated by the Commissioner…Upon his reinstatement such player shall be eligible to play football only for the club entitled to his services at the time of his retirement…”
Bottom line - if Aiyuk refuses to be reinstated as a San Francisco 49er, then his career is over. The 49ers don’t have the ability to release him while he’s on the Reserve/Left Squad list. The 49ers don’t have the ability to trade him while he’s on that list, either. So unless somebody can actually get through to Aiyuk, for all intents and purposes, he’s retired.
Congratulations on completing an NFL Career, Brandon. It was…something.
-Written by Seattle Mike