Even when players move on from the Detroit Lions, it’s normal to want to keep up with what they’re doing and where they’re landing with other teams. Now, one former Detroit Lions defensive tackle has shared a gut-wrenching post announcing his retirement from the NFL.
This isn’t just any retirement post. This message is truly a tear-jerker and shows that this player has a big heart. So, get those tissues out and get ready to read on.
Longtime NFL player Ndamukong Suh has officially announced his retirement from the sport. He announced the news on the one-year anniversary of his father’s passing, saying farewell to a lengthy career that started with the Lions back in 2010.
NFL Vet and Ex-Lions Player Retires in Honor of His Father
Suh posted a very emotional message on social media about the decision, saying that his father’s final advice helped him make this big choice. He also said that July 12, 2024, was the hardest day of his life, because he had to say goodbye to his father. Now, on the same date one year later, he’s saying farewell to the sport that has brought him so much.
“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 stated in the post. “He taught me what it meant to be disciplined, focused, and relentless in everything I do.”
He added, “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.”
Then, Suh described his father’s advice, stating, “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.'”
Wow. So, his father gave him the advice to step down, and Suh says “that conversation stayed with me. So today, one year later, I’m honoring that wish. I’m officially retiring from the NFL.”
Ndamukong Suh’s Legacy
The Detroit Lions drafted Suh No. 2 overall in 2010, long before the current Lions rebuild. Suh rounded out his rookie year with 10 sacks, an interception, a touchdown and First-Team All-Pro honors, so he was certainly a favorite and bright spot for the Lions. That year, he was also crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Since being with the Lions, Suh has played for a range of teams in the NFL, most recently the Philadelphia Eagles. He parted ways with the Detroit Lions in 2014, so it’s been more than a decade since he’s called the Motor City his home, but longtime fans still remember and appreciate what he brought to the franchise during what was a difficult time for the Lions.
Suh certainly gave a lot of himself to Detroit, and the Motor City should wish him all the best in his retirement journey.
