Teammates, media react to Travis Frederick’s sudden retirement

Players and media react to Travis Frederick’s retirement

The Dallas Cowboys spent the first week of the new league year making strategic free agent moves to construct the best roster for the 2020 season.

Late Monday, however, things moved in the opposite direction. In a shocking announcement via his own Twitter account, perennial Pro Bowler center Travis Frederick retired from the NFL at the age of 29.

The news made such an impact that not only did team owner Jerry Jones release a statement, but former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett chimed in via phone to talk about his former center.

“He’s just one of those rare guys,” Garrett told USA TODAY Sports by phone Monday night. “I don’t know that I’ve been around a player who everyone trusted so much so quickly. You just felt like he was one of those guys you could give a chance to run the show from the center position right from the get-go.”

Frederick was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and didn’t waste any time making an impact. After making the PFWA All-Rookie team, he followed it up with a Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2014. He entered the league as the Cowboys were forming their vaunted offensive line.

Tackle Tyron Smith had just established himself on the left side the year before Frederick was taken, and right guard Zack Martin was selected the following year.

Other pieces have rotated around these three, but that foundation was a strong one, and likely the best combination of linemen the league has seen work through their prime seasons together.

The retirement of Frederick is a shock to Cowboys fans, but it’s going to be an even tougher adjustment for Smith and Martin. The two also took to social media to speak about their time in the trenches together.

Smith, in his quiet ways, responded with a few words on Instagram while Martin, who spent every pre-game throwing and running routes with Frederick, expanded further on Twitter.

Frederick’s retirement can be seen as a sign of the times. As the sports world shuts down amidst the coronavirus pandemic, a player just a year removed from an autoimmune disease that threatened his life is certainly something to ponder. The NFL plans to move towards more games in a season, as soon as the 2021 season, and that also elicits reactions as Frederick joins a growing list of players who retire before the age of 30.

Frederick, a common guest with the local media and one of their favorite interview subjects, brought about much conjecture and reflection, including from The Athletic’s Jon Machota and Kevin Turner as they discussed all things related to his departure.

They of course weren’t the only media members he had impacted or who had thoughts about his future. Some wonder if he will make his way into the broadcasting game, as other recent Cowboys have such as Tony Romo and Jason Witten.

Frederick transitions to the next phase of his life. Whether it is entering the coaching ranks, broadcasting, or simply being a family man, the smart money says Frederick will be successful.

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