Ex-Bears kicker Gould has no plans to retire

Robbie Gould is not the retiring sort.

So, even after the shock of being released late last Sunday night by the Bears after 11 seasons, the ninth-most-accurate FG kicker in NFL history is anxious to get back in the game. Retirement at age 34 is not a consideration.

"That's not even an option," Gould said. "I'm going to continue playing. I've got a lot of good football left in me. I think I can play at a really high level. I'm looking forward to the next opportunity."

When and where remains to be seen, but it's unlikely that the Bears' all-time leader in scoring and field goals will be unemployed for long.

"I'm just going through all the options right now and waiting," he said. "I'm not in any hurry to rush into anything just to play. I want to win. I have to figure out what's next."

The last time Gould wasn't preparing for a football game in early September was in 2005, after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens. But he signed with the Bears on Oct. 8, and the next 11 years worked out pretty well.

"It's kind of weird," he said of his change in schedule. "I'm just trying to stay into it mentally."

Meanwhile, he's enjoying time at home. On a recent evening, he was supervising bath time for his 1- and 3-year old sons while doing interviews.

"You'd like to be playing right now," Gould said. "But I'm really enjoying being home with the kids and my wife."

In an ironic twist of fate, Gould is scheduled to close on a new home next week, which he still plans to do, and he says he'll keep his family in the Chicago area. That will also allow him to continue with his charitable work in the community through The Goulden Touch foundation.

"We're making Chicago our home long term," he said. "I'll just have to travel and be away during the season, and I can continue doing all those things in the community whenever the season's over until the start of the next season.

"I love Chicago. The fans and the community have been great. I have a huge heart for helping out and giving back, and that'll never end. I look forward to my kids being raised here, and I'm excited for them to be lifelong Bears fans."

Although Gould was blindsided by his abrupt departure, he claims there is no animosity.

"It's definitely shocking, but it's part of the NFL," he said. "I don't have any problems with how they handled it. They have to make those tough decisions, and I just wasn't a part of what they wanted to do long term; and that's OK."

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