Athlete retirement
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 file photo, Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. T.J. Ward, one of the members of the Denver Broncos’ famed “No Fly Zone” secondary, announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Ward helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. Ward played eight seasons in the NFL with Cleveland, Denver and Tampa Bay. He last played in 2017 for the Buccaneers.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Former star safety T.J. Ward announces retirement from NFL

By Arnie Stapleton Apr. 21, 2021 06:18 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to players on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, file photo. The Steelers signed their longtime head coach to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, that runs through the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Steelers sign coach Mike Tomlin to 3-year contract extension

By Will Graves Apr. 20, 2021 09:50 AM EDT

FILE - Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, file photo. Alex Smith is retiring from the NFL after making an improbable comeback from a broken leg. Smith announced his retirement Monday, April 19, 2021, on Instagram, saying he still has plenty of snaps left him just shy of his 37th birthday but is calling it quits to enjoy time with his family. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Alex Smith retires after comeback from gruesome leg injury

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 19, 2021 12:17 PM EDT

ADDS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FILE — In this Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 file photo New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) stretches but cannot catch a pass in front of New York Jets safety Jamal Adams, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots terminated Edelman's contract with a failed physical designation Monday, April 12, 2021, according to the NFL's transaction wire. Citing a knee injury that cut his 2020 season short after just six games, Edelman announced Monday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman announces retirement

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 12, 2021 05:39 PM EDT

Former USC star running back C.J. Gable retires from CFL

Apr. 01, 2021 10:35 PM EDT
HAMILTON, Ontario (AP) — Former USC star running back C.J. Gable has ended his professional football career where it began. He signed a one...

FILE - Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) dives over the line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million with free agent running back Kenyan Drake to complement starter Josh Jacobs. A person familiar with the deal says Drake will be guaranteed $11 million under the deal agreed to on Thursday, March 18, 2021. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Let's Talk: NFL free agents and traded players speak up

By Barry Wilner Mar. 18, 2021 05:33 PM EDT

Patriots' Chung retires after 11 seasons, 3 Super Bowl rings

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 18, 2021 11:38 AM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Saying “it's time to start a new life,” New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung announced Thursday he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons...

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams (38) kneels during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit. Williams announced via social media on his 38th birthday that he's retiring from football. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File)
Veteran cornerback Tramon Williams indicates he's retiring

Mar. 16, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) shakes hands with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Brees, the NFL’s leader in career completions and yards passing, has decided to retire after 20 NFL seasons, including his last 15 with New Orleans.(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Winston re-joins Saints for 2021 after Brees retirement

By Brett Martel Mar. 16, 2021 06:15 AM EDT

File-This Feb. 7, 2010, file photo shows New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrating with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Saints' 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami. Brees, the NFL’s leader in career completions and yards passing, has decided to retire after 20 NFL seasons, including his last 15 with New Orleans. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Record-setting Saints QB Brees announces retirement at 42

By Brett Martel Mar. 14, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

Cap constraints could limit Saints in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:32 PM EST
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Jameis Winston, DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Craig Robertson, DB PJ...

Davis, Olsen signing 1-day contracts to retire as Panthers

Mar. 04, 2021 11:58 AM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Linebacker Thomas Davis and tight end Greg Olsen are signing one-day contracts to retire as members of the Carolina Panthers. ...

FILE - In this May 16, 2019 file photo, Syracuse Mets' Tim Tebow speaks with reporters prior to a minor league baseball game in Syracuse, N.Y. Tebow has been invited to big league spring training by the New York Mets, taking one of 75 spots after Major League Baseball limited spring roster sizes as a coronavirus precaution. (AP Photo/John Kekis, File)
Tim Tebow retires from baseball after five years with Mets

By Jake Seiner Feb. 17, 2021 08:21 PM EST

Steelers GM Colbert: Work to do to bring back Big Ben

By Will Graves Feb. 17, 2021 03:36 PM EST
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger is still a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet despite optimistic overtones from both the team and its longtime...

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, right, and his brother, Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey pose after playing against each other in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The twin brothers announced their retirement from professional football on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Twin brothers Mike and Maurkice Pouncey retire from NFL

By Will Graves Feb. 12, 2021 12:31 PM EST

Giants quarterback Alex Tanney retires after 9 NFL seasons

Feb. 09, 2021 05:26 PM EST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Alex Tanney, who threw 15 passes in a nine-year NFL career, has retired. The Giants announced the 33-year-old...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reacts after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Brady out to join Robertson, Robinson in exclusive club

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 29, 2021 07:01 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten warms up for the team's NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver. Witten says he is retiring again, apparently for good this time. The longtime Dallas Cowboys tight end who spent his final season with the Raiders told ESPN on Wednesday, Jan. 27, that he was walking away “knowing that for 17 seasons I gave it my absolute all.” (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
TE Jason Witten says he's retiring again after 17th season

Jan. 27, 2021 07:26 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, Indianapolis Colts assistant quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady is shown on the field before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Indianapolis Colts made it official Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. Quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady has been promoted to offensive coordinator. He will become the NFL's third Black offensive coordinator, replacing Nick Sirianni who took the Philadelphia Eagles coaching job last week.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Brady charting new course with Indianapolis offense in flux

By Michael Marot Jan. 27, 2021 02:28 AM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 file photo, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs, during the second half at an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Veteran tight end Greg Olsen is retiring from the NFL to become a broadcaster. Olsen announced Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021 that he is ending his 14-year career to join Fox as a game analyst. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)
Veteran tight end Greg Olsen retires, becoming broadcaster

By The Associated Press Jan. 24, 2021 04:09 PM EST