Eric Weddle will no longer patrol NFL secondaries.
The 35-year-old safety announced his retirement Thursday after 13 seasons with the Chargers, Ravens and Rams.
It’s been REAL @NFL @Chargers @Ravens @RamsNFL! TEAMMATES, COACHES and others I LOVE y’all. We had a GREAT RUN!!!!! ââ#BEARDOUT �� pic.twitter.com/C3VGwnMCc7
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Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard)
February 6, 2020
After undergoing the first surgery in his decade-plus NFL career earlier this month, Weddle noted that he would take time to decide his future.
That decision has been made.
With the Rams going younger in the secondary, the veteran knew his brief stint in L.A. was likely over. Instead of starting anew in another city, Weddle will exit the game as one of the most memorable characters of the past decade.
The big-bearded safety was a patrolman, flying about in the secondary spearing receivers and swatting away pigskins, stepping up in the run and blowing up ball carriers.
Weddle earned six Pro Bowl nods in the last nine seasons, was a two-time first-team All-Pro and led the NFL in interceptions in 2011. In 13 seasons, he compiled 1,178 tackles, 99 passes defended, 29 interceptions, 9.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, seven recoveries and scored five touchdowns in 201 regular-season games. He also added an INT and two QB takedowns in nine postseason bouts.
Weddle entered the NFL with the Chargers as a second-round pick in 2007 out of Utah and made a name for himself in San Diego as a spirited tackler and ballhawk. After nine seasons, he moved to Baltimore in 2016, where he spent three seasons. He signed a two-year deal in L.A. in 2019.
Famously known for chowing down ice cream after wins with his family, now Weddle has plenty of time for sundae desserts as he enters the next phase after an illustrious NFL career.