Indianapolis Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo has retired from the NFL after 10 seasons, the team announced Tuesday.
Castonzo was in the final year of the two-year extension he signed before the 2020 season but with no guaranteed money, he decided to hang up the spikes. The former first-round pick has been a cornerstone of the organization for the last decade, and now the Colts will have to find their new left tackle.
“Anthony was a pillar of this team for the last 10 seasons,” said GM Chris Ballard in a statement. “He played one of the toughest positions in the game at an extremely high level for a long time. Anthony was a veteran leader in our locker room and will be greatly missed. We’re thankful for all of his contributions to the Horseshoe. We love AC and know he will thrive in the next stage of his life.”
While Castonzo did have one more year left on his deal. This doesn’t come as that much of a surprise. He had to undergo season-ending ankle surgery and with retirement already on the mind before the 2020 season, Castonzo finally decided to call it a career.
“I was an assistant coach with the Colts when Anthony was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. From day one, I knew he would be a special player. Anthony has a brilliant mind and he was a technician both on the field and in film study,” said HC Frank Reich. “He is a tremendous leader who put as much energy in making his teammates better as he did improving his own game. I’m thankful for the opportunity to watch him grow as a professional from the start of his career to the end. I wish him the best in his post-football career.”
Castonzo was a significant part of the Colts organization since being drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, and now the Colts will have to search for his replacement.
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