Yardbarker
x
25 elite NFL players who retired early in their careers
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

25 elite NFL players who retired early in their careers

Retiring from professional sports is always tough, and the reasons can vary greatly. Sometimes no teams come knocking, other times players move on when they know they can no longer compete and occasionally a player is forced to retire due to injury. But once in a while, a player will exit while still in the prime of his career. The reasons behind this sort of decision also vary from player to player, and we’ll explore some of these situations while looking at 25 elite NFL players who retired early in their careers.

 
1 of 25

Anthony Davis, OT

Anthony Davis, OT
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Once concussion symptoms inevitably subside, players are usually capable of playing again. However, they also know that repeated injuries of this type can eventually lead to permanent brain damage. When dependable San Francisco 49ers tackle Anthony Davis took the 2015 season off to recoup after sustaining a serious concussion, he said he would come back and did so the next year. However, Davis suffered another concussion in practice and officially retired on Sept. 16, 2016, saying in a tweet: “I just want my time and mind intact, when you lose ‘em both, you can’t buy ‘em back.” He was 26 at the time.

 
2 of 25

A.J. Tarpley, OLB

A.J. Tarpley, OLB
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

It’s hard to call any NFL rookie “elite,” unless he has a particularly explosive debut. That wasn’t the case for A.J. Tarpley, but two interceptions, two passes defended, one forced fumble and one sack in limited play definitely shows promise. Thus it was quite shocking when Tarpley called it quits on April 6, 2016, after a single NFL season, leaving two years and over $1 million on his Buffalo Bills contract. Although he was only 23 at the time, Tarpley had already suffered four concussions and told Sports Illustrated, “I retired out of respect for the sport — and my health.”

 
3 of 25

Rashard Mendenhall, RB

Rashard Mendenhall, RB
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

After an injury-shortened 2008 rookie season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall returned and immediately delivered seasons of 1,108 and 1,273 yards over the next two years, respectively. All told, Mendenhall amassed 4,236 yards on 1,081 carries (good for 3.91 yards per carry) in six NFL seasons through 2013. Analysts were predicting a bounceback year for 2014, but Mendenhall surprisingly decided to retire instead, saying he was tired of living “a private life in the public eye,” including being the target of racial slurs online. Mendenhall was only 26.

 
4 of 25

Eugene Monroe, OT

Eugene Monroe, OT
Photo by Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images

Although an injury-shortened 2015 season led the Baltimore Ravens to release Eugene Monroe, the offensive tackle had no shortage of possible suitors for 2016. However, Monroe instead decided to call it quits at age 29 after only seven NFL seasons, saying although he felt he could still compete at a high level, he was concerned about the long-term toll the game would inevitably take on his body. Monroe has since become an outspoken advocate of removing marijuana from the NFL’s list of banned substances, citing its alleged abilities to both treat and prevent serious brain injuries and diseases.

 
5 of 25

Husain Abdullah, S

Husain Abdullah, S
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

After serving as a backup for his first two seasons, safety Husain Abdullah won a starting role in 2010 and capitalized on it, posting 75 combined tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions. Abdullah remained a reliable player over the next few seasons but then abruptly retired on March 28, 2016, at age 31. After receiving the fifth concussion of his career, which cost him five weeks of 2015, Abdullah decided he needed to walk away before he sustained any further damage to his mind or body.

 
6 of 25

Chris Borland, LB

Chris Borland, LB
Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Linebacker Chris Borland boasted NCAA accolades out the wazoo prior to being drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he rewarded the San Francisco 49ers with 84 solo tackles, 23 assists, two interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery in his rookie season. Yet Borland shocked the 49ers and football fans across the country when he announced his retirement on March 16, 2015, citing a desire to avoid future head trauma and brain damage at any cost. That cost, by the way, amounted to approximately three-quarters of his $2.93 million contract.

 
7 of 25

Pat Tillman, S

Pat Tillman, S
Photo by Todd Warshaw/Allsport

A seventh-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, Pat Tillman signed with the Arizona Cardinals, appeared in every one of the team’s games during his first three seasons and was listed on Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team following an especially strong effort in 2000. After a solid 2001 season, a 25-year-old Tillman turned down a three-year, $3.6 million offer to return to the Cardinals in favor of enlisting in the U.S. Army. Tragically, Tillman was killed by friendly fire on April 22, 2004, while on patrol in Afghanistan.

 
8 of 25

Brad Butler, OL

Brad Butler, OL
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Even before being drafted into the NFL, offensive lineman Brad Butler always had a passion for public and community service. During college at the University of Virginia, Butler interned at the Center for Politics, and in his days off from football, he worked with urban youth and impoverished communities. Thus, even though he had just been named to USA Today’s All-Joe Team (for the league’s overlooked overachievers), it wasn’t much of a surprise when the young Buffalo Bills tackle stepped away from the game at age 26 after only four seasons in order to devote his full attention to education, country and community.

 
9 of 25

Walter Thurmond, S

Walter Thurmond, S
Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Walter Thurmond’s sixth NFL season was a breakout year for the 28-year-old safety, who racked up 71 tackles, seven pass deflections, three interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one safety — all career highs. However, Thurmond rejected numerous offers in excess of $4 million for the following season and decided to retire on May 31, 2016. His focus has shifted to a career in film, Thurmond told Newsday prior to his retirement, and a peek at his IMDB page shows the ex-NFL player has since been busy at work as a director, producer and editor.

 
10 of 25

Heath Miller, TE

Heath Miller, TE
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Stepping away from the NFL after 11 seasons might not seem like an early retirement at first, but when you’re a 33-year-old two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ who clearly has plenty left in the tank, it doesn’t exactly add up. “I wanted to have a long career,” said Steelers tight end Heath Miller, “but I also wanted to walk away with my health as much as I could.” Miller retired on Feb. 19, 2016, with 6,569 career receiving yards, a 11.1-yard average and only eight fumbles.

 
11 of 25

Christian Okoye, FB

Christian Okoye, FB
Photo by Owen Shaw/Getty Images

When Christian Okoye retired in 1993, he was the Kansas City Chiefs' all-time rushing leader with 4,897 yards, 1,246 attempts, 14 games with at least 100 yards rushing and two Pro Bowl selections. He also had only six NFL seasons under his belt, was just 32 years old and had only once missed more than three games in a season. Although “The Nigerian Nightmare” suffered from a nagging knee injury for most of his career, Okoye said he actually quit because football started to feel too much like a job and he simply felt the need to move on.

 
12 of 25

Greg Jennings, WR

Greg Jennings, WR
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

When the Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Greg Jennings only one season into his two-year, $8 million contract in order to clear salary cap space, it would only be a matter of time before someone snatched up the guy who owns 8,291 career receiving yards, a 14.5-yard average and 64 touchdowns over a 10-year career. But before any team had a chance, the 32-year-old announced his retirement on July 25, 2016, at the age of only 32. The two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLV champion said he could still compete but simply felt it was time to go.

 
13 of 25

Jason Worilds, OL

Jason Worilds, OL
Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images

March 11, 2015, was the first day of free agency for Jason Worilds, who spent all five seasons of his NFL career as an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although he was in his prime and one of the most sought-after linebackers in the league, Worilds didn’t spend his first day of freedom talking to teams; he spent it announcing his retirement at the age of only 27. Although Worilds' explanation was vague, he reportedly left football to become a more active Jehovah’s Witness.

 
14 of 25

Robert Smith, RB

Robert Smith, RB
Photo by Andy Lyons /Allsport

Running back Robert Smith spent his entire tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, and after his eighth year — when he played every single game and put up the best numbers of his career — he abruptly retired at the age of only 27. Smith wanted to avoid any serious injuries and pursue a career in medicine, which is totally understandable, but try telling that to the Vikings fans who just watched him complete a season with 1,521 rushing yards, 63 first-down plays and seven touchdowns (all career bests for Smith) on his way to the second Pro Bowl of his career.

 
15 of 25

Al Toon, WR

Al Toon, WR
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images

New York Jets wide receiver Al Toon amassed 6,605 yards and three Pro Bowl appearances in his eight-year NFL career, but he also racked up at least nine concussions in the same time span. Thus, despite being only 29 at the time, Toon called it quits with five games left in the 1992 season. “The decision wasn’t difficult when I had all the information,” Toon told FOX Sports in a recent interview. “I just felt blessed to have the opportunity to play the game for as long as I did.”

 
16 of 25

Tarik Glenn, OT

Tarik Glenn, OT
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

After being selected for the Pro Bowl in 2004, 2005 and 2006, few people would have expected Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Tarik Glenn to call it a career on July 24, 2007. Sure, he had 10 seasons to his name, but he was also only 31 years old and fresh off a victory in Super Bowl XLI. In retrospect, Glenn called the victorious season “emotionally draining” and said during 2007 preseason workouts he felt like he was “just going through the motions,” having lost his passion for the game.

 
17 of 25

Jake Plummer, QB

Jake Plummer, QB
Photo by John Medina/NFLPhotoLibrary

In 2006, quarterback Jake Plummer was in the prime of his career. Only a year prior, he led the Denver Broncos to the AFC Championship, earned a Pro Bowl selection and posted the second-highest passer rating in his 10-season tenure. On March 3, 2007, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Bucs and seemed like he would finally get a shot to be the face of a franchise. Later that day, however, he shocked the country by announcing his retirement. A 32-year-old Plummer explained he wanted to leave the game (and a $5.7 million paycheck) “with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future.” The QB also added that he was inspired by his friend, the late Pat Tillman, “to take on new challenges.”

 
18 of 25

Aaron Schobel, DE

Aaron Schobel, DE
Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Despite leading the Buffalo Bills with 10 sacks in 2009, Aaron Schobel announced on Aug. 4, 2010, that he would be retiring at age 32 after only nine NFL seasons. Schobel was healthy and coming off one of the best seasons of his career, but he claimed he had simply lost his hunger for playing, later remarking, “the passion wasn’t there, so it was time.” Schobel still had four years left on the seven-year, $50.5 million contract he signed in 2007.

 
19 of 25

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT
Photo by Al Pereira/New York Jets/Getty Images

D'Brickashaw Ferguson was openly critical of the NFL after seeing the film "Concussion," but fear of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) wasn’t the reason he shockingly stepped away from the game in 2016 at the age of 32. He wasn’t injured either, never having missed a game but never even appearing on an injury report during his entire 10-year, 160-game career with the New York Jets. The three-time Pro Bowler instead felt his performance had dipped ever-so-slightly, and he simply wanted to walk away while still healthy and on top.

 
20 of 25

Marshawn Lynch, RB

Marshawn Lynch, RB
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Even after missing nine games in 2015 due to injury, few people thought running back Marshawn Lynch would retire in 2016. After all, he only missed one game in the previous four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and was still ranked third in rushing yards (5,774), second in first downs (294) and first in rushing touchdowns (51) over the last five years, adding four more Pro Bowl selections to his first appearance back in 2008. Lynch’s reasoning behind his exit? It was simply his time to go.

 
21 of 25

Otto Graham, QB

Otto Graham, QB
Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images

Otto Graham spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns, earning five Pro Bowl selections, three NFL Player of the Year awards and two AAFC Most Valuable Player honors, while setting all sorts of franchise and league records and bringing his team to the championship game in each one of his 10 seasons — winning seven of them. Only 34 years old when he walked away at the top of his game, Graham was content with his career despite having plenty left in the tank, and he left as the winningest quarterback in NFL history.

 
22 of 25

Tiki Barber, RB

Tiki Barber, RB
Photo by Larry French/Getty Images

Prior to the 2006 season and at the peak of his game, New York Giants running back and three-time Pro Bowler Tiki Barber announced that it would be his last year in the NFL. Apparently his heart was no longer fully invested in playing, and he also wished to pursue a career in broadcasting. Despite posting some of the best numbers of his career (1,662 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games) and still completely healthy, Barber stuck to his word and officially declared his retirement on Feb. 12, 2007, at 31 years old. He owned 10,449 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns over 10 NFL seasons.

 
23 of 25

Calvin Johnson, WR

Calvin Johnson, WR
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

At age 30, wide receiver Calvin Johnson had it all. He appeared in six straight Pro Bowls and set the all-time records for most receiving yards in a season (1,964), most consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards (eight) and the fastest player to reach 11,000 receiving yards (127 games), among numerous other high-water marks in both the NFL and the Detroit Lions franchise. However, Johnson would follow those achievements with the biggest shock of his career: announcing his retirement after only nine seasons and still in his prime. “I was just tired of it, fed up,” Johnson later said. “Just had enough.” Apparently he had enough of the money too, as he exited with a whopping $67.7 million left on his contract.

 
24 of 25

Jim Brown, RB

Jim Brown, RB
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Jim Brown is often remembered as one of the best running backs ever to play the game, but people sometimes forget how short his career was. Brown only played nine seasons in the NFL but still managed to appear in nine Pro Bowls, nab four MVP awards and win an NFL Championship while leading the league in rushing yards eight times and rushing touchdowns five times. Already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, Brown was only 30 years old when he concluded his NFL tenure in 1965 in order to further his acting career.

 
25 of 25

Barry Sanders, RB

Barry Sanders, RB
Photo by Betsy Peabody Rowe/Getty Images

Barry Sanders shocked the world by announcing his retirement on July 29, 1999, just after his 31st birthday and still at the top of his game. He had played 10 seasons for the Detroit Lions and amassed 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns, in addition to another 2,921 receiving yards and 10 more scores. He was named a Pro Bowler every season, led the league in rushing yards four times and won an MVP award in 1997, while smashing numerous other records left and right. Although Sanders’ reasoning was cloudy at first, he later revealed that he was exhausted physically and also frustrated with the front office’s failure to build a winning team.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.