On Friday, long-time New York Giants long snapper and team captain, Zak DeOssie, officially announced his retirement from professional football.
Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, DeOssie, who followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve DeOssie, spent his entire 13-year career with the Giants, earning trips to the Pro Bowl in both 2008 and 2010 and winning two Super Bowl titles.
In total, DeOssie was voted a captain nine times, which speaks volumes about the respect he earned from his teammates.
That respect was again evident on Friday as many of his current and former teammates reacted to his retirement.
Congratulations on the retirement @zdeossie . I’ll never forget when you walked in as a rookie and told me your dad said hello! That made me realize that I was old because I had played with your father and now I was about to be your teammate. Time flies!
— Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) August 8, 2020
You were def crying when you wrote this. You big baby. Congrats on a hell of a career. I’m just glad you listened to me when I told you to give up on your dream of being a linebacker. #istillknowyouasBamBam #nowyouremyrookieagain #welcometoGoldmanSachs #gogetmeacoffee https://t.co/4JeSyUZvQC
— Justin Tuck (@JustinTuck) August 7, 2020
Congrats man! Thank you for all the talks and advice you gave me! What’s next!? Pro Golfer?? 👀 https://t.co/NG0jDwfqYP
— Tae Davis (@Tae_Davis1) August 7, 2020
What’s a great career Zak
Work on that golf game, maybe one day you will beat me. Lol https://t.co/6EqX7FddjG— Jay Feely (@jayfeely) August 7, 2020
Congratulations Zak! https://t.co/ON5pLPCgyh
— DK (@DevonKennard) August 7, 2020
My man! Congrats to you Katie and the boys. What an awesome run. Love ya brother. https://t.co/q8V77rzQPu
— 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗻𝗲𝘀 (@lt4kicks) August 7, 2020
Congrats on a legendary run, brother. Still hated you in college though! @IvyLeague https://t.co/CgBV4gtTWE
— Kevin Boothe (@KevinBoothe77) August 7, 2020
Heck of a career my friend, thankful to play a year with ya https://t.co/fob1PWSLq5
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) August 8, 2020
Congrats @zdeossie !!! https://t.co/SK2fRh1NAH
— Romeo Okwara (@RomeoND45) August 8, 2020
Congrats bro!! Amazing career. Class of '07, you held it down!
— Michael Coe (@_COESIGN) August 7, 2020
Congrats on a hell of a career @zdeossie https://t.co/Auy9UBTPhg
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) August 7, 2020
What a Career Zak! 👏🏾
— Sinorice Moss (@sinoricemoss) August 7, 2020
Congratulations on a great career @zdeossie. Second career will be even better!! Let’s get it!!
— Nick Greisen (@nickgreisen) August 7, 2020
Once a Giant, always a Giant, only a Giant.
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