Tag: Retirement

Drew Brees says even retired quarterbacks are relieved by Aaron Donald’s retirement

Drew Brees says even retired quarterbacks are relieved by Aaron Donald’s big news. He wished his old rival well in retirement:

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Even retired quarterbacks are happy to see Aaron Donald hanging up his cleats. Or at least that’s how Drew Brees feels. The legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback congratulated his old rival “on an unbelievable career” with the Los Angeles Rams, where Donald spent a decade sacking passers like Brees.

They went head-to-head five times, including the playoffs, with Brees’ Saints winning twice (and the less said of that playoff debacle, the better). Donald sacked Brees twice but hit the quarterback 11 times, including the infamous play that broke Brees’ throwing hand early in the 2019 season. Talk about a worthy opponent.

Ten years and ten Pro Bowls, with a Super Bowl championship to his name. Donald was the best defender in the sport during his time in the league and should be an easy choice for enshrinement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 202, just a few years after Brees will have earned a bronze bust in 2026.

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Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch announces retirement

From @ToddBrock24f7: The six-year veteran suffered two serious neck injuries, the latest of which has forced him to walk away from the game at age 28.

The Cowboys’ true cowboy at linebacker for the past six seasons is riding off into the sunset.

Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement from the NFL, as first reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer. The 28-year-old was released by the team last week with a failed physical designation, the result of a serious neck injury that brought his 2023 campaign to an early end.

The injury came in a Week 5 loss to San Francisco, when 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams slung Vander Esch into Cowboys teammate Micah Parsons. The hit ultimately landed the former first-round draft pick on injured reserve. It would be his final play.

“I love the game of football so much, and my body won’t cooperate any longer,” Vander Esch said in a statement. “I cherished every moment of my NFL career, and it has been such a blessing to play the game for as long as I have played.”

Vander Esch had dealt with neck problems since his college days at Boise State. He missed a big chunk of the 2019 season before undergoing surgery in hopes of correcting the issue, a condition called cervical spinal stenosis. That first spinal fusion procedure came with the understanding that a second neck surgery would likely cost him his football career.

“Leighton is exactly the kind of player and person a coach feels very fortunate to have on their team,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. “His leadership, character, perseverance, dedication and will to win were all at the highest level, not to mention his ability to play the game. Leighton impacted our team beyond defense. He set a tone that served as an example for all of our players about how we want to play. Having a teammate like Leighton is something everyone on our staff and in our locker room valued greatly, and we’re going to miss him.”

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Known as “The Wolf Hunter,” Vander Esch ends his Cowboys career with 557 tackles in 71 regular-season game appearances. He tallied 3.5 sacks, five QB hits, and 13 tackles for loss, while adding 13 passes defended, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one of which he returned for his first career touchdown just last season in what would be his final full game).

As a rookie, Vander Esch was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors that same year.

“He was a leader and the kind of teammate that impacted those around him in the best ways,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “Leighton’s playing career may have come to an end, but his future is very bright. On behalf of the entire Dallas Cowboys organization, we’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet, we thank him and we wish all the best to Leighton, his wife, Madalynn, and their young daughter.”

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Demario Davis agrees to an extension with the Saints

Contrary to some bad reporting, the Saints are going to sign an extension with Demario Davis which will let him play out his career in black and gold:

What’d we tell you? Contrary to some bad reporting suggesting the New Orleans Saints were going to have to trade Demario Davis, ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that the Saints reworked their deal with the All-Pro linebacker to insure he’ll retire in black and gold.

It’s an extension very similar to what Tyrann Mathieu received from the Saints last week. Schefter reports that Davis’ new deal is a two-year, $17.25 million contract with $13.25 million in guarantees. The NFL’s oldest starting linebacker (he turned 35 in January) is on the same timeline as Mathieu and defensive end Cameron Jordan, who are all now signed for 2024 and 2025, with the possibility of retirement in 2026.

Davis was set to count against the salary cap by $18,193,000 in 2024, which was the final year of his contract. Instead, that number should fall to about $9.5 million, but stay tuned for details to clarify exactly where his cap hit lands. The Saints were in the red by just $10.7 million prior to reworking his deal so they should be knocking on the door of salary cap compliance after this.

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Former Lions RB hangs up his cleats

Former Lions RB Bo Scarbrough hangs up his cleats and retires from the UFL

Former Detroit Lions running back Bo Scarbrough has decided to call it a career. Scarbrough announced his retirement from football on Saturday in a very nice ceremony produced in conjunction with the UFL.

Scarbrough, 29, has been a prominent player for the Birmingham Stallions in the now-UFL for the last two seasons.

“You can love this game all you want. But at the end of the day, the game can’t love you back because it’s not a person; it’s a ball,” Scarbrough said via the UFL. “I have so much respect for the people still playing. And when it’s your time, you’ll know it’s your time.”

Scarbrough joined the Lions in the 2019 season and was an instant hit. The big back from Alabama rushed for 377 yards in six games in November and December of that year, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his physical style at 235 pounds.

Just as quickly as Scarbrough arrived, he was gone. He began the 2020 season on Detroit’s injured reserve list, then was waived shortly after being reactive from the I.R. at midseason. He had cups of NFL coffee with the Seahawks and Raiders before finding a home in the USFL.

Enjoy retirement, Bo!

Tyrann Mathieu hoping to retire with Saints, leave a strong legacy behind

Tyrann Mathieu hopes to retire with the Saints and leave a strong legacy behind, but says he’s ‘looking forward to the next two years’

The New Orleans Saints pulled off the rare deal that makes both sides happy in the NFL on Thursday by negotiating a contract extension with veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu. One of their best defenders will have the opportunity to close out his career playing for his hometown team, while the Saints get some much-needed salary cap flexibility in reworking his contract.

“It is a great opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to the next two years,” Mathieu told local reporters in a conference call.

When asked if he could potentially retire with the Saints when the time comes, Mathieu responded with “Hope so,” while reiterating that his focus is on winning games and leading the team to success: “I hope and pray I can continue to be a positive influence on the young guys.”

Mathieu acknowledged that the last two years had been “underwhelming” for Saints fans, who are currently tied for the fifth-longest active playoff drought around the league. But he expressed confidence that they can get where they want to go with what he believes is a quality roster and coaching staff.

And winning with the Saints matters to him. Mathieu knows exactly how passionate the fanbase is and he hopes to make them proud. He said he would’ve taken a pay cut to stay in New Orleans and continue giving back to the community, but getting more security for his future was a welcome bonus: “I’m from here. It’s a blessing to play here.”

But giving back to the city is what he’s looking forward to most. While he’s grateful for fans of his work on the field, the opportunity to be a positive influence on young people and give back to the community is his next ambition. That’s how he sees the path to establishing a long-lasting legacy.

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Chiefs TE Travis Kelce got emotional at Jason Kelce’s retirement press conference

The #Chiefs tight end was visibly emotional at Jason Kelce’s retirement press conference on Monday.

The offseason is rolling along as free agency looks next week, with many players expected to change teams. The period is also when some players announce their intentions for the new season or retire from the league.

The latest great NFL player to call it a career is Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce. The 13-year professional is considered one of the greatest to play his position, and a can’t miss first ballot Hall of Famer. Jason’s brother Travis has continued to support his brother’s decision to Monday’s press conference.

The younger brother was pictured sitting next to his mother, Donna, visibly emotional watching Jason deliver his retirement speech to a room full of reporters.

“I announce that I am retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles,” said Jason, trying to hold back more tears. “Thank you, Philadelphia, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me represent this city and allowing me into your homes every Sunday.”

Travis had defended the initial belief that Jason would be retiring since the Eagles lost in the wild-card round of the postseason. The duo appeared in recent episodes of the New Heights podcast while Jason continued to mull his decision.

The 8 best moments from Jason Kelce’s incredibly emotional retirement speech, including sharing tears with Travis Kelce

Happy trails, Jason Kelce.

We’ve known for a while that Jason Kelce would probably be retiring from the NFL. Since the very moment the Eagles’ season ended we all knew even if it wasn’t official.

That didn’t make the official announcement any less emotional.

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The tears from Jason Kelce and the entire Kelce family flowed for more than half an hour as he recounted the greatest moments of his career. Kelce shared how his family impacted him throughout his career and even before his stint with the Eagles.

It was just an incredibly emotional moment the entire way. Here are the seven best moments from it all.

Former Broncos center James Ferentz retires after 9-year NFL career

James Ferentz, who won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2015, has retired after a nine-year career in the NFL.

James Ferentz has retired after a nine-year career in the NFL, the 34-year-old offensive lineman announced on his Instagram page on Monday.

Some fans may not remember him, but Ferentz played a role in the Denver Broncos’ run to Super Bowl 50 during the 2015 season.

After he entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa with the Houston Texans in 2014, the Broncos claimed Ferentz off waivers when the Texans cut him ahead of the 2015 campaign.

Ferentz served as a backup rotational lineman that season, playing 55 snaps on offense as Denver went 12-4 in the regular season. He then made an appearance in the AFC Championship game and the Broncos went on to later defeat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

Ferentz spent one more year in Denver and then played for the New England Patriots from 2017-2023, starting 10 games. Everyone on the Broncos’ 2015 squad — from big-name stars to role players — contributed to the club’s Super Bowl 50 win, and Ferentz will always have that on his resume.

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QB Teddy Bridgewater retires after 10-year NFL career

QB Teddy Bridgewater, who went 7-7 with the Broncos in 2021, has retired after a 10-year NFL career. He’ll now coach high school football.

After a 10-year career in the NFL, former Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is hanging up his cleats.

Bridgewater, 31, was a star quarterback in college at Louisville and was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Bridgewater became Minnesota’s full-time starter in 2015 and he helped the Vikings go 11-5 that year, earning a Pro Bowl nod.

Bridgewater’s career then hit a huge setback when he suffered a serious knee injury that included a torn ACL, a dislocated knee and structural damage in 2016. He then missed the entire 2016 season and half of the 2017 campaign.

After recovering from that injury, Bridgewater became a free agent in 2018 and signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. Before the season started, New York traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints. He went on to start six games in New Orleans, going 5-0 in the place of an injured Drew Brees in 2019.

Bridgewater finally got another opportunity to be a full-time starter with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, but the Panthers struggled that season, finishing with a 5-11 record.

The following offseason, Bridgewater was traded to the Broncos. He went 7-7 as a starter in Denver before ending the year on injured reserve with a concussion. He then spent the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins and started two games in the place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa.

Bridgewater spent his final season as a backup with the Detroit Lions in 2023. He now retires from football with a 33-32 record as a starter with 15,120 passing yards and 75 touchdowns against 47 interceptions on his resume.

Bridgewater will now coach high school football in Miami, his hometown.

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Social media shares hilarious reactions to Nick Saban boogie boarding

Nick Saban wipes out on the beach while boogie boarding, and social media absolutely loves it.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been off the job for a few weeks now, and he’s apparently been enjoying the beach with Miss Terry, according to his daughter, Kristen Saban Setas.

While interacting with Crimson Tide fans, Saban Setas shared a video from a few years ago that showed the legendary head coach wiping out on the shore of a beach while attempting to boogie board in the waves.

The video may not be recent, but it is exactly how many Alabama fans hope he is spending his retirement.

Reactions on social media were almost as priceless as the video itself. Here are some of the best posts.