Longtime Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins WR, Underdog Legend Announces Retirement; Fans Wish Goodbye

Per a statement on his Instagram, Albert Wilson announced his retirement at the age of 31. He thanked the Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders:

To the Kansas City Chiefs Organization, I want to thank you for kicking off this journey and giving me the only shot I ever needed.

To the Miami Dolphins Organization, I want to thank you for changing my family’s life forever and giving me the opportunity to come play in my home state in front of family, friends and the youth in my community. This provideded me a chance to be a leader in front of my community and a light to shine at dark times we all suffered.

To the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders, thank you. Y’all gave me, Lai Lai and my wife an experience we will never forget.
To all my coaches and teammates throughout the years, I gained unforgettable bonds and everlasting friendships. Thank you guys for helping me become the man/athlete I am today.

The Chiefs signed Wilson as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He played with the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Dolphins in 2018. He played with the Dolphins through the 2021 season. He spent time with the Vikings in 2022 before signing with the Raiders in October 2022.

Wilson recorded 218 receptions for 2,499 yards and 12 touchdowns in his NFL career. In postseason play, he caught 22 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns for the Chiefs.

Wilson’s journey to the league is a legend in Kansas City.

Albert Wilson had an incredible journey to the league

Per a 2014 Kansas City Star article by Randy Covitz, Wilson had a ‘The Blind Side’ type of story in high school. With his parents in prison, a family took in Wilson, and it helped his football career:

The Baileys, who have adopted eight foster children, knew of Junior through their kids and brought him to their home when he was in 10th grade.

At the time, the Baileys had maxed out the number of children they could adopt, but they took in Junior anyway in what was called a non-relative placement. After spending 10th grade with them, Wilson could have returned to his parents after they were released from prison in Fort Pierce. But he moved in with a cousin, Sherri Brown, in Port St. Lucie, so he wouldn’t have to change high schools.

“Without the Baileys and my cousin, I don’t know what would have happened,” Wilson said. “I didn’t get a straight mind until my 10th grade year. I was running with the (wrong) crowd, and after a while, I realized Fort Pierce was somewhere I didn’t want to be, and football would give me the best opportunity to get out of Fort Pierce, which it did.

NFL fans wish Wilson the best