There comes a day when every athlete realizes it's time to hang up the cleats and embrace the next chapter.
After signing with the Houston Texans in free agency earlier this year, one former Florida State star has elected to retire prior to the 2025 season.
On Monday, former FSU cornerback Ronald Darby announced his decision to step away from the game, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Darby inked a one-year/$2.50 million deal to join the Texans in March after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Darby spent a decade in the NFL, earning PFWA all-rookie honors in 2015 and winning Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. In 2024, he recorded 46 tackles - his most since 2021 - along with three tackles for loss and nine pass deflections in 13 appearances.
Another retirement: Veteran CB Ronald Darby, who played 10 seasons and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, informed the Houston Texans that he is retiring from the NFL, per sources. pic.twitter.com/ZC9RqbSqqv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2025
During his professional career, Darby appeared in 118 games and made 107 starts. He totaled totaled 447 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, eight interceptions, and 106 pass deflections.
Prior to playing in the NFL, Darby starred for three years at Florida State from 2012-14. He appeared in 42 games with 23 starts, recording 78 tackles, 16 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. Darby notched a career-high seven tackles and a pass breakup in the Seminoles' win over No. 5 Notre Dame in 2014.
At Florida State, Darby was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2012 and won a national championship the following year.
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