After playing just one season in the NFL, Glen Coffee has decided that he is done with football. The San Francisco 49ers running back retired on Saturday morning after missing practice for the past two days.

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Coffee was set to start this season as the back up to All Pro Frank Gore. In fact the 49ers had plans of using him even more than they did last year.

However, the Alabama alum is walking away from the gridiron for a reason that might surprise you. It is not because of an injury or lack of production but instead a higher calling. Coffee is entering the world of ministry and shows us that even those in the most high profile professions don’t love what they do for a living.

Despite rushing for over 2,o00 yards during his time at Alabama, the running back claims that he doesn’t love football anymore. Coffee explains that he made a mistake in pursuing a professional football career.

“Actually when I look back I feel I never should have entered the draft in the first place. Football was no longer my dream. I found Christ in college. It changed my views on everything. But I still was a football player because it was expected of me, it was something I did all my life. I was basically wasting the (49ers’) time.”

While the 49ers may have a hole to fill behind Frank Gore, the most important thing here is that Coffee will now be doing what he loves the most in life and it is a decision that we all must admire. The running back proves that money and fame are not  the answer to happiness in life.

Coffee’s decision shows us that you don’t have to settle for a career just because you are good at it. The fact of the matter is that Glen Coffee will make a much bigger impact in this world than he ever would have on the football field because he has taken the selfless route in devoting his life to help others.