Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt has announced his sudden retirement from the NFL. This retirement comes as a bit of a shock, due to Tuitt’s young age. At just 29-years-old, with just eight seasons under his belt, Tuitt’s retirement may leave a hole in the Steelers’ defense.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news via Twitter on Wednesday.
Steelers’ 29-year-old DE Stephon Tuitt announced that he is retiring from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/zm7FwNmfe0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 1, 2022
Tuitt was drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. From 2014 until 2021, the Steelers were the only franchise for which Tuitt will have played at the time of his retirement announcement.
In his career, Tuitt had 246 total tackles, 34.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. Although he has been in the NFL for eight seasons, he played just seven, as he was placed on injured reserve ahead of the 2021 season. He did not play a single game that year.
His 2020 campaign was probably his best, as he racked up 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and 45 combined tackles. He played just 15 games that year. In his official announcement, Tuitt cites the death of his younger brother as a reason he is “called to move beyond the sport of football.” His brother, Richard, was killed almost exactly a year ago from Wednesday in a hit-and-run.
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Featured image courtesy of Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
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