After a brief eight-year career, half with the Pittsburgh Steelers, tight end Vance McDonald announced his retirement on Friday.
Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 55 overall in the 2013 NFL draft, McDonald spent his first four seasons there before being traded to Pittsburgh in 2017.
McDonald played in 101 games (77 starts) and finished with 181 receptions for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns. In the Black and Gold, he played in 53 games (47 starts) and caught 117 passes for 1,170 yards and eight scores.
Vance’s best season coincided with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s. In 2018, Big Ben threw for 5,129 yards and 16 touchdowns — McDonald was on the receiving end of 50 passes for 610 yards and four touchdowns.
“My family and I are so grateful for everything NFL football has provided us in our life—all the memories both good and the difficult, the relationships and friends we’ve made along the way, the life lessons the game provided both me and my loved ones,” said McDonald via Steelers.com. “It’s always been our dream and mission to leverage the platform given us through the NFL to help serve and uplift others along the way, and we will continue to find ways to serve others as we begin this next chapter of our lives. I am proud to retire a Steeler.”
Vance McDonald has announced his retirement.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 22, 2021
“I am appreciative of Vance’s contributions during the last four years of his career that he spent in Pittsburgh,” said head coach Mike Tomlin via Steelers.com. “He was a class act on and off the field, leading many of our efforts in the community while also being a voice for our social justice efforts and the community work during the pandemic. I wish he and his family nothing but the best in his retirement and his continued work to be a pillar in the community.”
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