Ryan Shazier will go down as an iconic player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here is the former linebacker’s official statement that he’s walking away from the game he loves.
It’s not often that a player who saw the NFL field just 46 times in his career will go down as a legend for an organization, but that’s exactly what Ryan Shazier will be to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shazier was an extremely likable player and team leader, but his career was cut far too short and his life-altering injury left fans in tears.
Shazier was always plagued with minor injuries during his time on the Steelers. Much of this was due to his aggressive play style and relentless demeanor. He didn’t take plays off and fans loved that about him.
Sadly, his football journey has officially come to an end. The former two-time Pro Bowl linebacker issued a heartfelt, tear-jerking retirement statement on social media. Here’s what Ryan Shazier had to say about his decision to officially walk away from football:
Thank You 🙏🏽... pic.twitter.com/JS3diYi2ar
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) September 9, 2020
It’s hard not to get emotional seeing Shazier nearly come to tears as he bids farewell to the game he has loved his whole life. But this statement couldn’t have been presented any better.
There’s no point in focusing on the past, and Ryan Shazier knows that. “The way I look at it, God put us all here for a purpose,” he said in his retirement statement. “For twenty years, he let me play football, and now it’s time for me to do what he wants me to do. I’m going to step away from the game for a while, and see what else life has to offer. I know football will always be here for me if I need it, but right now, I’m excited to explore some new challenges and different paths.”
Shazier closed by thanking all of the people who stood by him through this difficult time, including his family and his personal trainer.
Fans will remember Shazier not only for his extreme athletic traits and his ability to take the ball away on defense but for the person he was on and off the field. He will always hold a very special place in the hearts of Steelers coaches, teammates, and fans.
Shazier finished his 4-year career with 299 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 25 pass defenses, 7 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. The Pro Bowl linebacker earned 5 interceptions over his last 14 NFL games – the most among any linebacker in the league during that span.
While he may no longer be part of the team, the legendary linebacker won’t be a player who is soon forgotten. What happened to him in 2017 was nothing short of tragic. We wish nothing but the best for Ryan Shazier and his family in all they choose to pursue in the future.