Ndamukong Suh Retires: NFL Legend Hangs Up the Cleats After Great Career

Ndamukong Suh announced his retirement from the NFL this Saturday, through a moving statement, coinciding with the first anniversary of his father’s death. The defensive lineman, who described his father as “my idol, my coach, and my anchor,” shared what he considered his parent’s last piece of advice.

It’s time to leave football. You have achieved everything you set out to do. Now it’s time for the next chapter.

Ndamukong Suh’s Father

Suh revealed that this conversation resonated deeply with him, and that today, a year later, he honors that wish. “I am officially retiring from the NFL,” he declared.

Thank you, Suh. pic.twitter.com/3u8p7m15H5

— NFL (@NFL) June 8, 2024

Suh, 38, was the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, selected by the Lions. He played five seasons in Detroit (2010-14), followed by the Dolphins (2015-17), the Rams (2018), the Buccaneers (2019-21), and the Eagles (2022). He has been out of football for the last two seasons and won the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020. Suh made a name for himself as a rookie, recording 10 sacks, his personal best, and being named All-Pro and AP Rookie of the Year. This was the first of his three All-Pro honors, and he was also included in the Hall of Fame’s 2010s All-Decade Team. In his career, he accumulated 600 tackles and 71.5 sacks, as well as one interception, five forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries, three of which were for touchdowns. He participated in 199 games, starting in all but the eight he played with the Eagles in his final season.

I gave it my all on the field, and now I retire with peace and gratitude. Because I have been preparing for this moment for years. Football was my passion, but it was never my ultimate goal.

Ndamukong Suh

Currently, he hosts the podcast “No Free Lunch”, where he shares his experiences on “how to navigate life and money”, in his own words.