5 Most shocking retirements in NFL history ft. Andrew Luck
Retirements in the NFL are a tough pill to swallow. As fans, we hope to see the best players in the league go on to have long and successful careers at the top.
Tom Brady announced in early 2022 that he would return to the league for his 23rd season. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers will enter his 18th year with the Green Bay Packers.
Despite these legends' longevity, we see some of the NFL's elite stars call it quits too soon, whether due to injuries or simply a lack of love for the game.
Here are five such examples.
#5 – Calvin Johnson
Arguably one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, the shock was met around the league when Calvin Johnson announced his retirement at 30.
Johnson was un-guardable during his time with the Detroit Lions, instantly becoming Matthew Stafford's favorite target for the best part of a decade. Before Stafford was drafted, Johnson managed to lead the league in receiving touchdowns on an 0-16 Detroit Lions team.
Megatron still holds the NFL record for receiving yards in a season, putting up a ridiculous 1,964 in 2012. But he retired three seasons later.
Even during his final year in 2015, he had 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns. His decision to quit was his own. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Richard Sherman talks what it was like to cover Calvin Johnson #Lions #OnePride https://t.co/nqryqw66m9
#4 – Barry Sanders
Another Detroit Lions player to make the list is Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, who shocked the world when he retired aged 31 after the 1998 season.
Sanders said about his decision:
"Shortly after the end of last season, I felt that I probably would not return for the 1999–2000 season. I also felt that I should take as much time as possible to sort through my feelings and make sure that my feelings were back with conviction. Today, I officially declare my departure from the NFL."
What made the decision so shocking was how Sanders was still as dominant as he had ever been during his later years. In 1997 he won MVP and rushed for over 2,000 yards; even in his final season, he had 1,491 yards rushing.
He called it quits, having been voted into the Pro Bowl every year of his career and being named two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Pro. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.