Ndamukong Suh shares emotional retirement news with powerful message

It’s officially the end of the road for Ndamukong Suh. On the one-year anniversary of his father’s passing, the former Detroit Lions defensive tackle announced his retirement from the NFL, capping off a 13-year career that started with one of the most impactful rookie seasons in league history.

Suh shared the emotional update on social media, explaining that his father’s final advice guided his decision. He called July 12, 2024, the hardest day of his life, and on the same date one year later, he said goodbye to the game that helped define his legacy.

"It’s the day I said goodbye to my father, the man who raised me, shaped me, challenged me, and believed in me before I believed in myself.

He wasn’t just a dad. He was my idol, my coach, and my anchor.
He taught me what it meant to be disciplined, focused, and relentless in everything I do.

Every snap I took in football carried his fingerprint. Every time I lined up across from someone, I could hear his voice pushing me, reminding me that I wasn’t just representing myself. I was representing him, my family, my name.

Before he passed, he gave me one final piece of advice,
“It’s time to let football go. You’ve done everything you set out to do. Now it’s time for the next chapter.”

That conversation stayed with me.
So today, one year later, I’m honoring that wish.

I’m officially retiring from the NFL."Ndamukong Suh

Drafted No. 2 overall by the Lions in 2010, Suh immediately became the face of the franchise’s defense. He finished his rookie year with 10 sacks, an interception, a defensive touchdown, and First-Team All-Pro honors. He also took home Defensive Rookie of the Year. For Detroit fans, Suh wasn’t just a star—he was a tone-setter.

Ndamukong Suh’s NFL journey ends right on schedule

Suh spent five seasons in Detroit and made three First-Team All-Pro squads during that time, helping turn around a defense that had long struggled up front. His presence was impossible to ignore. He was fined, flagged, and suspended, sure—but he was also feared, respected, and consistently dominant. From 2010 to 2014, he racked up 36 sacks and helped lead the Lions to a rare playoff berth in 2011.

After Detroit, Suh signed a record-setting deal with the Miami Dolphins and later played for the Rams, Buccaneers, and Eagles, reaching the Super Bowl with each of his final three teams. He won a ring in 2020 with Tampa Bay and closed out his career in 2022 with Philadelphia.

Though he hadn’t suited up in over two years, Suh made his decision official Saturday, stating he’s stepping into a new phase focused on impact and legacy off the field. Through his “No Free Lunch” podcast and financial literacy initiatives, he’s shifting from quarterback hunter to mentor and educator.

Love him or loathe him, Suh’s time in Detroit left a mark—and for a franchise still trying to recapture that kind of edge on defense, his legacy looms large.

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