Ali Marpet of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announces his surprise retirement from the NFL

Just 28 years old and considered one of the most complete guards in the league, Ali Marpet was coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

TAMPA — In a surprise move, the left guard of Pro Bowl of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ali Marpetwithdraws from the NFLas announced by himself via his Instagram account.

marpet is just 28 years old, and has just finished his first season of Pro Bowl. He is considered one of the best, if not the best, offensive lineman in the Buccaneers.

A source told ESPN what marpet made the decision based on concerns about his general health.

“After six wonderful years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I have come to the decision to retire from the game that has given me so much,” he wrote. “This organization and the people around it have not only helped me fulfill a dream, but have helped me build the person I am today. . I have made of Tampa Bay my home and look forward to serving the community for years to come. To the coaches and peers, family and friends, an Instagram post simply cannot express the profound impact you have had on me. I am eternally grateful. Thanks, Tampa Bay“.

A second round recruit coming out of Hobart College in 2015, marpet became the tallest recruit in the history of the Division III, selected No. 61 overall. Also, he became the first player of Division III to be drafted in the top 100 picks since 1990.

“It has been one of my greatest professional emotions to see his rapid rise from a small school star to one of the best and most complete in the NFLsaid the general manager of the BuccaneersJason Lichtit’s a statement.

The Bucs already faced the enormous challenge of replacing the quarterback and future member of the Hall of Fame, Tom Brady. fill the gap left by marpetwho has missed just 12 games in seven seasons, will be another huge challenge.

marpet He was scheduled to collect $10 million in 2022.

“I can’t say enough about what Ali has meant to our team throughout the three seasons since my arrival. He has been a consummate professional and has been a rock for us on the inside of our offensive line,” Los Angeles head coach said. Buccaneers, Bruce Aries, it’s a statement. “We’ll miss him on the field and in the locker room, but I’m glad he’s coming out as champion of superbowl and player of Pro Bowl. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a player who has meant so much to our success, but I support and respect his decision and wish him a good life after football.”

Marpet has served on the social justice council of the Bucs and last summer, he met with the vice president kamala harris during the team’s visit to the White Houseto discuss rights for voters.

In his statement, Licht praised marpet for providing “the vision and passion that was crucial” to the “launch and ongoing work” of the social justice council of the Buccaneers“.

From 2018 to 2021, marpet produced a 93.7 percent win rate on pass-play blocks, ranking ninth-best in the league at guard, according to data from ESPN Stats & Information. He became just one of six players to post a win rate of at least 92 percent on pass-play blocks in each of the past four seasons, along with Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, Joel Bitonio, Brandon Scherff and Andrew Norwell.

The most memorable play marpetwas probably going on a trap block to the outside on the 27-yard touchdown run from Leonard Fournette at Super Bowl LVwhen the Bucs They won 31-9 over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Current and past partners with Buccaneers praised for marpet in the comments of his Instagram post.

• “Congratulations, @AliMarpet you are a warrior”, published Brady. “It was an honor!!”.

• His best friend and left tackle Donovan Smith she wrote, “I love my boy,” along with an emoji of tears and a heart.

• “It was an honor, brother! Enjoy the retreat,” wrote the center Ryan Jensen.

• The inside linebacker Lavonte David He put: “It was definitely an honor to be in your daily presence, my friend! Enjoy the retreat!”

• “I love you, brother, enjoy retirement, champion”, left the wide receiver Mike Evans.

“I think he achieved his goals, he values ​​his health, he looks for other challenges. Ali he has a very strong inner voice, and he is brave enough to follow it. I’m impressed,” said the father of marpet, Billto ESPN.

In addition to withdrawals from Brady and marpet, Jensenalso a player Pro Bowland the right guard alex cappatoggle for Pro Bowlare set to become unrestricted free agents next month.