Tag: retires

Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles DE Brandon Graham retires: ‘No regrets’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham announced his retirement Tuesday after a franchise-record 206 regular-season games over 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 36-year-old defensive end became a Philadelphia icon, returning from a torn triceps to play in last month’s Super Bowl LIX triumph after making one of the biggest plays in the team’s first championship in Super Bowl LII.

“I gave it everything I have,” said Graham, who ranks third in Eagles history with 76.5 sacks. “I have no regrets.”

A first-round draft pick (13th overall) by Philadelphia in 2010, Graham recorded 153 quarterback hits, 126 tackles for loss, 22 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He made the Pro Bowl after an eight-sack season in 2020 and recorded a career-high 11 sacks in 2022.

“Brandon Graham is the embodiment of everything you want in a Philadelphia Eagle,” team owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “… It was the way he played the game and the way he carried himself that earned him the love and respect of his coaches, teammates and fans.”

In 2024, Graham landed on injured reserve on Nov. 26 after sustaining the triceps injury in a Week 12 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

Activated from IR the day before Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the team captain played 13 snaps and recorded one tackle in the 40-22 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Graham was one of the heroes of Philadelphia’s 41-33 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, recording a strip-sack of Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter to help clinch the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) stands on the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Bengals DE Sam Hubbard, 29, retires

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after seven seasons with the team.

Hubbard, 29, was voted a team captain in each of his final four seasons with the Bengals. He was the longest-tenured player on the team’s roster.

The Cincinnati native recorded 41 tackles and two sacks in 14 games (all starts) in 2024 before sustaining a season-ending PCL injury in a game against the Tennessee Titans. Prior to that, Hubbard had a 2-yard touchdown catch in the Bengals’ 37-27 victory over the Titans.

“I want to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengals ownership, and the NFL for everything you all have done for me,” Hubbard said on social media. “I could not have done any of this alone. To the fans — Who Dey Nation — I thank you the most; you inspired me. From the years of struggle and adversity to Super Bowl LVI, you never stopped believing. I hope I made you proud.”

Hubbard had 398 tackles, 38.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 104 career games (88 starts) since he was selected by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Hubbard also was a two-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The award recognizes a league player for their work off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

“Sam always has been and always will be a wonderful part of the Bengals organization and the entire Cincinnati community,” Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. “Growing up here, he was a top youth athlete on local gridirons and lacrosse fields before becoming a standout football player at Ohio State. We were fortunate to draft him in 2018, and we immediately knew that we added an outstanding player and an even better person to our team.

“Sam epitomizes what you want in a player — he’s a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate community member. He helped us win a lot of football games, and he had a number of very memorable plays over the years. His 98-yard fumble recovery return in the wild card win over Baltimore is one of the most iconic touchdowns in team history. It has been my honor to watch him play his entire NFL career for his hometown team. We thank him for the memories he created as ‘Cincinnati’s Own.’”

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Tommy Doyle (72) following the game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Bills OL Tommy Doyle announces retirement

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Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Tommy Doyle announced his retirement from the NFL due to medical reasons.

Doyle, 26, played in 11 games during his rookie season in 2021 and one more in 2022.

He endured several injuries during his career — notably a right ACL tear during the beginning of the 2022 season and a severe leg injury in 2023. This season, he dealt with nerve damage in his left leg.

“At this point, with the calendar and the healing process, it looks as though it’s permanent,” Doyle said on Friday of his nerve damage. “I’m just unable to play football at a high level, and it’s time. When you know you know.”

Doyle was selected by the Bills in fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers place kicker Mason Crosby (2) against the Los Angeles Rams during their football game on Monday December, 19, 2022 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Former Packers K Mason Crosby announces retirement

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Longtime Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby announced his retirement Tuesday after 17 NFL seasons.

Crosby, 40, became the leading scorer in Packers history from 2007-22 before finishing his career with the New York Giants in 2023.

He announced his decision during his radio show on Milwaukee’s 105.7 The Fan on Tuesday.

“I’m just so, so thankful, so grateful for the opportunity to come to Green Bay in 2007, drafted in the sixth round out of the University of Colorado, to become a Packer and to be a part of this fraternity and legacy, the history of the Green Bay Packers,” Crosby said.

“It’s about the fans. It’s about the people. It’s about my teammates. For me, I was always a ‘we’ guy. We’re doing this. We’re dominating and winning the NFC North nine times while I was a Green Bay Packer for 16 years, making the playoffs, winning the Super Bowl as a team. For me, everything I remember and everything I think about is about the team.”

Crosby finishes his career with exactly 400 made field goals and ranks 11th in NFL history with 1,939 career points.

He converted his only field-goal attempt (23 yards) and all four PATs in Green Bay’s 31-25 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.

Crosby made 81.3 percent of his field-goal attempts (400 of 492) and 97.2 percent of his extra points (739 of 760) in 261 career games, including a franchise-record 258 games with the Packers.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris (25) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4-time Pro Bowl CB Chris Harris retires after 12 seasons

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Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris announced his retirement Tuesday after 12 NFL seasons.

Harris, 34, won a Super Bowl and spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos from 2011-19.

He played for the Los Angeles Chargers (2020-21) and New Orleans Saints (2022) but was out of the NFL in 2023.

“I just waited a year and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,” Harris told the Denver Gazette. “So I thought it would be great to just call it an end.”

Harris signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas and helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2016 and made the Pro Bowl in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

He was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.

Harris intercepted 22 passes, returning four for touchdowns, and added 621 tackles, 97 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and six sacks in 172 career games (145 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) walks off the field after overtime win against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles C Jason Kelce retires after 13 seasons

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A tearful Jason Kelce announced his retirement Monday after 13 seasons as the center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection started 205 games for the Eagles, including the postseason.

Drafted in the sixth round (191st overall) in 2011, Kelce became a Super Bowl LII champion and one of the most durable, decorated and respected centers in NFL history — and one of the league’s most passionate players.

He had trouble holding back those emotions from the outset of Monday’s press conference in Philadelphia.

“Not a good start,” said Kelce, who repeatedly fought through tears during a speech that lasted 45 minutes.

“I’ve been asked many times why did I choose football — what drew me to the game — and I never have an answer that gets it right,” Kelce said. “The best way I could explain it is what draws you to your favorite song … your favorite book. It’s what it makes you feel. The seriousness of it. The intensity of it.

“Stepping on the field was the most alive and free I had ever felt. There was a visceral feeling with football, unlike any sport. The hairs on my arms would stand up. I could hit somebody, run around like a crazed lunatic and then get told, ‘Good job.’ I love football.”

Kelce had not missed a start since Week 8 of the 2014 season, a franchise-record streak of 156 consecutive regular season games. His 193 career regular season starts rank second in Eagles history behind longtime teammate and defensive end Brandon Graham (195).

Kelce blocked for NFL rushing champion LeSean McCoy in 2013. More recently, he was a driving force for the wildly successful “tush push” with quarterback Jalen Hurts in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He played for head coaches Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni.

“It has always been a goal of mine to play my whole career in one city,” Kelce said. “I couldn’t have dreamt a better one if I tried.”

The other four centers in NFL history with at least six All-Pro selections are all in the Hall of Fame: Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson and Jim Ringo.

Kelce, 36, is the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce.

The siblings have a popular podcast and a broadcasting career is a potential next step for Jason Kelce. “Multiple” networks courted him ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, according to ESPN.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; referee Jerome Boger (23) conducts instant review during the second half of the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

NFL referee Jerome Boger retires after 19 seasons

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Jerome Boger retired after 19 seasons as an NFL game official, 17 of those as referee.

His was one of four retirements announced Thursday by the NFL. Down judge Jerry Bergman retired after 21 seasons, line judge Walt Coleman IV retired after eight and back judge Steven Patrick after nine.

Boger’s tenure had its ignominious moments.

The 67-year-old was the crew chief for the wild-card game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders in January 2022, when a whistle was blown during a play that saw Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throw a touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd in the back of the end zone late in the second quarter.

Replay indicated that the whistle, which the officials called inadvertent, came while the ball was in the air and just before Boyd made the catch. The defender closest to Boyd appeared to ease up on the play just before the catch was made. Boger and his crew let the play stand.

Boger also drew widespread criticism this past season for a roughing-the-passer penalty on Atlanta’s Grady Jarrett on a sack of Tom Brady in Week 5. Jarrett seemingly avoided all the red flags for roughing but was penalized anyway, allowing the Bucs to run out the clock in the 21-15 win.

Boger ruled that Jarrett “unnecessarily threw him to the ground.”

Boger entered the NFL in 2004 as a line judge and was named referee ahead of the 2006 season.

Boger worked Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans between the Ravens and 49ers — his only SB assignment — and six other postseason games during his career.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Seattle Seahawks center Austin Blythe (63) during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Seahawks OL Austin Blythe retires after 7 seasons

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Seattle Seahawks starting center Austin Blythe announced his retirement Tuesday after seven seasons in the league.

“The last 7 years have been nothing short of amazing,” Blythe wrote in an Instagram post. “For a short, unathletic, undersized kid from Iowa, I’ve played a lot of football, met countless coaches and teammates that I can call friends, and made enough memories for myself and my family to last a lifetime. I am so grateful, and extremely blessed, to have played the game for any amount of time, let alone 7 years.”

Blythe, 30, started all 17 games for Seattle in 2022. He started 66 of 92 career games with four different teams, including the Los Angeles Rams from 2017-20.

Blythe was a seventh-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Blythe signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with Seattle in March 2022 and was set to become a free agent.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) catches a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Seven-time Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green retires

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Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green retired Monday after 11 NFL seasons, nine with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Green, 34, played his last two seasons in Arizona.

Green made the announcement on his Instagram page.

“I’ve stayed true to the game and it owes me nothing,” Green posted, in part. “The next chapter begins …”

The Cardinals thanked Green in a tweet.

Green finishes his NFL career with 727 catches for 10,514 yards and 70 touchdowns. He played in 158 games (144 starts), the last 31 (19 starts) in Arizona.

The Bengals selected Green No. 4 overall out of Georgia in the 2011 draft, and he posted the first of five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his rookie campaign. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons in Cincinnati. He also was a second-team All-Pro twice.

Green was hampered by injury in 2018 and missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury.

The Cardinals signed him to one-year deals in both 2021 and 2022.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field before a wild card game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady: ‘I’m retiring for good’

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Tom Brady announced Wednesday morning that he retiring “for good” from football.

Brady, 45, initially retired from professional football last Feb. 1. He changed his mind 40 days later and returned to play the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On Wednesday, Brady took to social media and said the following in a video:

“Good morning, guys. I’ll get to the point right away. I’m retiring for good.

“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time, so when I woke up this morning, I figured I’d just press record and let you guys know first. I won’t be longwinded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year, so really thank you guys so much to every single one of you for supporting me.

“My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors — I could go on forever, there’s too many,” Brady said in the video, fighting back tears. “Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing. Love you all.”

Brady concludes one of the most decorated NFL careers of all time. Among his records: most Super Bowl championships (seven), most regular-season wins by a quarterback (251), most postseason wins by a quarterback (35), most passes completed (7,753), most pass attempts (12,050), most passing yards (89,214) and most passing touchdowns (649).

He is a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player and a 15-time Pro Bowl selection.

Brady spent his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season and led them to a Super Bowl championship in his first campaign.

In 2021, he led the NFL in passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43) before those numbers fell to 4,694 and 25, respectively, in 2022 as the Buccaneers finished 8-9. Tampa Bay made the playoffs as the champion of the weak NFC South before getting hammered by Dallas in the wild-card round.

–Field Level Media