I'm visiting Columbus from the Pacific Northwest and there has been a rumor around Seattle for months that puts Palmer's retirement in a much different light.

The rumor is that a member of his or his wife's family lives in the Portland-Seattle area and is seriously ill, so they want to live there to be with them. Since he has looked after his money, he has enough for a good life and will retire if he isn't traded to the Seahawks, who have offered a third-round pick.

If this is true -- and it is just a rumor -- that would make Brown's silly sermonizing even less honorable. Unless he is just angling for more in return, which would be reasonable.