Drue Chrisman, a talented punter who had his moments in the NFL spotlight, has experienced a series of setbacks and opportunities since his time with the Cincinnati Bengals. Chrisman, who was part of the Bengals' 2022 roster, found himself out of a job in August 2023. Determined to continue his professional career, he has embarked on a journey filled with tryouts and auditions across the league.
A Trying Year
The past 12 months have been a whirlwind for Chrisman. He has attended multiple tryouts in hopes of securing a spot on an NFL team. On August 13, Chrisman was given another chance to prove his worth when he was invited for a tryout with the Washington Commanders. However, his journey with the Commanders turned out to be less than triumphant.
Five days after his tryout, Chrisman released a video detailing his experience with the Commanders. The video captured a notable and disheartening moment where a Commanders assistant coach informed Chrisman that the team did not intend to sign him. “The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," one source mentioned, a request stemming from the disclosure of private interactions.
Defiance and Transparency
Despite the Commanders' legal team's intervention, Chrisman chose to keep the video up. This decision showcased a defiant stance towards transparency, giving fans a raw insight into the trials and tribulations of a player trying to navigate the competitive environment of the NFL.
Interestingly, Chrisman had released a similar video earlier in the month, documenting his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. In contrast to the Commanders, the 49ers did not react to the content in the same manner, allowing the video to remain without any noticeable backlash.
Performance and Persistence
Drue Chrisman’s career stats speak volumes about his capabilities on the field. In 2022, while playing for the Bengals, he averaged 42.6 net yards per punt, ranking 10th overall in the league. Despite this impressive performance, the Bengals released him in August 2023, leaving Chrisman in search of new opportunities.
Following his departure from the NFL, Chrisman found a brief stint with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. Signed in April, he was brought on to fill in for the injured punter Colby Wadman. Unfortunately, his time with the Stallions was short-lived, as he was released in May. This sequence of events underscored the uncertainty and fluidity inherent in a professional athlete’s career.
Looking Forward
As of now, Drue Chrisman remains a free agent, continuously seeking a stable position within professional football. His resilience in the face of ongoing setbacks and his willingness to share his journey publicly resonate with many aspiring athletes and fans alike.
Chrisman’s story is a testament to the challenges and unpredictabilities faced by professional athletes. It also highlights the importance of transparency and the power of modern media in giving fans a closer look at the lives of their sports heroes. While his recent experiences may not have yielded the results he hoped for, Chrisman’s journey is far from over, and his determination is sure to lead him to new opportunities on the gridiron.
