Athlete retirement
FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) prepares to throw against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game in Philadelphia. Retired Washington quarterback Smith has won the George Halas Award presented by the Pro Football Writers of America. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, FIle)
Retired Washington QB Alex Smith wins Halas adversity award

By The Associated Press Jun. 07, 2021 06:37 PM EDT

49ers center Weston Richburg retires

Jun. 02, 2021 03:08 PM EDT
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers center Weston Richburg has retired after a knee injury derailed his career. The 29-year-old...

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2018, file photo, Indianapolis Colts' Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a field goal from the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the New York Giants in Indianapolis. The 48-year-old former Colts and New England Patriots star told former teammate and SiriusXM radio host Pat McAfee that he plans to retire. “By Friday, if paperwork goes in, you heard it here first,” Vinatieri said. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Record-breaking kicker Adam Vinatieri plans to retire

By Michael Marot May. 26, 2021 06:43 PM EDT

FILE - Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth (87) looks for a pass during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Steelers rookie Freiermuth took over former tight end Vance McDonald's locker ... right next to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Fresh start: Steelers rookies understand high expectations

By Will Graves May. 14, 2021 04:19 PM EDT

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher is shown after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Two people with direct knowledge have confirmed to The Associated Press the Indianapolis Colts have signed Eric Fisher to play left tackle. Kansas City selected Fisher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft but the Chiefs released their longtime starter in March. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
AP source: Colts sign Fisher to fill need at left tackle

By Michael Marot May. 10, 2021 12:45 PM EDT

Seattle Seahawks fan Wallace Watts watches the fourth round of the NFL football draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
SEC dominates NFL draft the way it manhandles college teams

By Barry Wilner May. 01, 2021 02:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 28, 2018, file photo, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee walks on the field during NFL football training camp in Oxnard, Calif. Sean Lee retired Monday, April 26, 2021, after the linebacker spent all of his 11 mostly injury-plagued seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. The 34-year-old said in a letter released by the club that it was “my time to walk away.” (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)
Cowboys' Lee retires after 11 mostly injury-plagued seasons

By Schuyler Dixon Apr. 26, 2021 03:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 1989, file photo, Tony Mandarich backs off the line during the second quarter at Anaheim stadium as the Green Bay Packers played the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL football game. Considered one of best offensive line prospects in history, lasted only three seasons in Green Bay. (AP photo/Alan Greth, File)
The famous and the flops: best and worst NFL 1st-round picks

By The Associated Press Apr. 24, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

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. ...