Pittsburgh Steelers LB Ryan Shazier Announces Official Retirement From Football
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is announcing his retirement from football and the NFL.
He posted a message to fans on Twitter Wednesday morning, saying in part, "I am officially retiring from the game I love so much."
Thank You ????????... pic.twitter.com/JS3diYi2ar
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) September 9, 2020
The Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert tells KDKA's Bob Pompeani that he wished Shazier well in his retirement.
Colbert said, "You can retire from the game of football, but you can never retire from being a Pittsburgh Steeler."
He went on to say "thank you for sharing your life and career with us."
An emotional #Steelers GM Kevin Colbert wanted time to wish Ryan Shazier well on his retirement zoom. Never said, 'why me?' You can retire from the game of football, but you can never retire from being a Pittsburgh Steeler." And thank you for sharing your life and career with us"
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 9, 2020
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin says Shaizer is not only a "quality player" but a "quality man" also.
Shazier has been on the Steelers' Reserve/Retired List.
He has been out of the game since suffering a devastating spinal cord injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4, 2017. He underwent spinal stabilization surgery two days later and has since learned to walk again.
Shazier goes on to day in his announcement, "The way I look at it, God put us all here for a purpose. For 20 years he let me play football, and now it's time for me to do what he wants me to do. I am going to step away from the game for a while and see what else life has to offer. I know football always will be here for me if I need it, but right now I am excited to explore some new challenges and different paths."
- RELATED STORY: 'I Want To Thank Everyone': Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Ryan Shazier Posts Uplifting Video On 2-Year Anniversary Of Injury
The Steelers drafted Shazier in 2014 out of Ohio State.
Shazier played in 46 NFL games in his career with 275 tackles, seven sacks, 25 pass defenses and seven interceptions in his four seasons.
Last year, Shazier was named the George Halas Award winner, which is given yearly to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
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