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Lindsey ThiryESPN
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Veteran NFL safety Eric Weddle announced his retirement Thursday.
The 35-year-old Weddle played 13 seasons and had one season remaining on a two-year, $10.5 million contract that he signed with the Los Angeles Rams last March.
Weddle acknowledged toward the end of the Rams’ 9-7 season that he was contemplating retirement.
“I’ve had a great run,” Weddle said at the time. “No regrets, baby.”
He made the announcement Thursday via a post on Twitter.
It’s been REAL @NFL @Chargers @Ravens @RamsNFL! TEAMMATES, COACHES and others I LOVE y’all. We had a GREAT RUN!!!!! ✌✌#BEARDOUT 🎤 pic.twitter.com/C3VGwnMCc7
— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 6, 2020
“He’s played a lot, had a great career,” Rams coach Sean McVay said after the season. “I’m very thankful and I’ve learned a lot from him.”
A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All Pro, Weddle finishes his career with 29 interceptions, including 4 returned for touchdowns, 8 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, 9.5 sacks and 98 pass deflections.
After his arrival in L.A., Weddle quickly asserted himself as a leader. Rams teammates voted him a captain and he took over duties as the on-field signal caller in former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. Weddle finished the season with 4 pass deflections.
With the retirement of Weddle — who is also known for his signature beard and ice cream victory celebrations — the Rams are expected to promote second-year pro Taylor Rapp to a starting role to play alongside John Johnson III.
“Hell of a career,” Johnson wrote on Twitter following Weddle’s retirement. “This is the standard. Wish things went differently this season but I appreciate what you’ve done for me and @RamsNFL. Enjoy retirement, Turkey.”
Quarterback Jared Goff summed Weddle’s career in one word, writing on Twitter: “LEGEND.”
A Southern California native, the Chargers selected Weddle in the second round, with the 37th overall pick, in 2007 from Utah.
He played nine seasons for the Chargers, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl, before an acrimonious ending that resulted in Weddle signing four-year, $26 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
Weddle played three seasons in Baltimore, where his reputation for his football intelligence continued to thrive and he earned three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. However, the Ravens released Weddle before the final season of his contract in an effort to clear salary cap space and promote younger players.