Los Angeles Chargers defenseman Nasir Adderley is retiring from the NFL at age 25, he announced Thursday in an Instagram post.
“For the last couple of years I’ve been in denial about this realization, but I’m finally putting myself first,” Adderley wrote in his post. “My health is above all, and everyone around me knows about it.
“… I believe I have yet to scratch the surface of the player that I could be, but if it’s at the expense of my peace of mind, then it’s not for me anymore.
The four-year veteran played 44 games for the Chargers over the past three seasons and became a free agent on Wednesday. He has counted three interceptions, 12 passes, two forced fumbles and 232 combined tackles since the Chargers took Adderley in the second round of the 2019 draft.
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Adderley took a spot in the starting lineup in week 2 of the 2020 season and did not concede it until week 5 of the 2022 season to Alohi Gilman. He reclaimed the role the following week and retained it for the remainder of the Chargers’ regular season games. However, oddly enough, Adderley only played two defensive snaps in the playoffs when the Chargers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars after head coach Brandon Staley. put him on the bench in favor of Gilman for the postseason game.
Few players in their mid-20s suddenly retire, and Adderley became the first after Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden retired at age 24 during the 2022 training camp to return to school.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
