One bad thing that occurs to you when you think of legends of any sport is that one day it will come to an end. That day on, there will be no more action that you could witness, rejoice or gape in awe at. After years of providing thorough entertainment and sweating it out for their team every time they stepped on the pitch some big names called it a career in 2022. All of these, combined means a massive loss for the sport and football lovers were left emotional at their departures. Let us look at some of the best NFL players are retired in 2022.
Table of Content
Andrew Whitworth
First on the list is Andrew Whitworth who was drafted into Cincinnati Bengals all the way back in 2006. Back then he was drafted in the second round and 55th overall but soon picked up pace to become one of the best players in the history of the game. His departure is indeed a massive loss for the game. He played in the position of an offensive tackler. He came through the ranks by performing exceedingly well in High School level where he represented West Monroe and at the college level where he represented Lousiana State University. He switched over to the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 where he played his final 5 seasons. By all measures he is one of the top NFL players who retired in 2022.
- Position: Tackle
- Team/Club Name: Los Angeles Rams
- Birthplace: Monroe
- Age: 41
- Rank: Above 100
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger or Big Ben as he is more commonly known was one of the top NFL player to play in the position of Quarterbacks the game has ever seen. With his accurate throws with his right hand he could make even the most challenging of downs count. He was born in Lima, Ojio in 1982 and played for Findlay at the high school level. He would later go on to become one of the finest players of Miami University at the university level before breaking in to Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. His 18 year old career has been nothing short of extraordinary with 6 Pro Bowls and 2 super bowl championships. For his entire career he has played for Pittsburg Steelers and over the years has become one of the fan favourites. He is one of the most famous American Football player and top NFL player who is retired in 2022. .
- Position: Quarterback
- Team/Club Name: Pittsburg Steelers
- Birthplace: Lima
- Age: 40
- Rank: Above 100
Blake Martinez
Next on the list is Blake Edmon Martinez or Boar as he is popularly known. He is one from the best NFL players who is retired in 2022.He was born in the town of Tucson in Arizona and represented Canyon Del Oro at the high school level. Then he went on to play for the very well reputed Stanford university where he impressed one and all. He was drafted into the Green Bay Packers in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL draft. He then switched twice, first to New York Giants and finally ended his career at Las Vegas Raiders. He played in the position of Linebacker. In the last year he had 13 sacks which is mighty impressive.
- Position: Linebacker
- Team/Club Name: Las Vegas Raiders
- Birthplace: Tucson
- Age: 28
- Rank: Above 100
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore ended his stellar 16 year career with an emotional game which was part of a one-day contract with the 49ers. Playing as the running back, he ended up as the league’s 3rd all time highest rusher with a mindblowing 3735 rushes. He played for Miami in this university days and completed his high school career at Coral Gables. Throughout his illustrious career he played for several franchises. He started off with San Francisco 49ers in 2005 and played 10 seasons before switching over to Indianapolis Colts. He then played one season for his home state Miami Dolphins which did not go very well before joining Buffalo Bulls in 2019 and later would join New York Jets a year later. He has won the Pro Bowl 5 times and was named in the Hall of Fame all 2010s team.
- Position: Running Back
- Team/Club Name: New York Jets
- Birthplace: Coral Gables
- Age: 39
- Rank: above 100
Eric Weddle
Eric Weddle’s retirement saga was nothing short of drama. He came out of retirement once and then re-retired. Contrary to what one would expect, his return to the Rams two years safter retirement gave the Rams a massive defensive boost for the post season and he had the glorious ending of winning the Super-bowl. He played as a defensive back and ended as one of the greatest in that position. He represented Utah at the university level and Alta Loma at the high school level. He was born in 1985 in Fontana, California. He was drafted into the league in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft into San Diego Chargers and then switched over to Baltimore Ravens in 2016 where he played for 3 seasons till 2019. He finally ended his career at the Rams. He is a 6 time Pro Bowl player and has also won the super bowl. He was also included in the Hall of Fame all- 2010’s team which is a massive achievement.
- Position: defensive back
- Team/Club Name: Los Angeles Rams
- Birthplace: Fontana
- Age: 38
- Rank: Above 100
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski called it a career in June by announcing in all his social media accounts. This is a re-retirement because he had retired in 2018 and made a comeback in 2020 after being out of action for a year. He finally had a two-year stint at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played as a Tight End and ended up as one of the best American football player in his position. He was born in Amherst in 1989 and went on to play for Arizona at the university level before cracking in at the NFL in the 2010 Draft. He was picked by the New England Patriots in the second round in that year’s draft. He has played a total of 143 games and has covered 9286 receiving yards and 92 receiving touchdowns. He has appeared 5 times in the Pro-Bowl and has won the Super Bowl a whopping 4 times. After his return to the league he played for the Buccs alongside Tom Brady for two years before hanging up his boots.
- Position: Tight End
- Team/Club Name: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Birthplace: New York
- Age: 33
- Rank: Above 100
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald or Larry Legend as he is fondly known retired as one of the greatest of the sport. He was born in Minneapolis and went to Pittsburg where he raise eyebrows of one and all. He was finally drafted into Arizona Cardinals in the 2004 NFL Draft and from thereon became a great American football player. He has made a stunning 11 Pro Bowl appearances and also featured in the Hall of Fame all 2010 team in his 18 year illustrious career. He played as a wide receiver for 17 years for his beloved team Arizona Cardinals. However his retirement is cast in doubt and controversies. There has been some confusion as to whether he had announced his retirement or not.
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Team/Club Name: Arizona Cardinals
- Birthplace: Minneapolis
- Age: 39
- Rank: Above 100
Also Read: Heaviest players in NFL
Ali Marpet
The last name on the list is that of Ali Marpet after just 7 years in the league. He called it a day very prematurely but is one of the most famous American football player. But in these six years he has made one Pro Bowl appearance and has also won a Bowl. A played as a guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for all the seasons and is one of the fan favourites there. He was drafted into the team all the way back in the 2015 NFL Draft in the second round. He represented Hobart at the university level.
- Position: Guard
- Team/Club Name: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Birthplace: Hudson
- Age: 29
- Rank: Above 100
