Ryan Jensen Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen (66) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive lineman Ryan Jensen announced his retirement on Friday from the National Football League following a celebrated career.

Jensen announced his decision to retire on his personal Instagram account.

“With any chapter in the book of life, there is always an ending. The NFL chapter of my life is coming to a close. As this chapter closes and I reflect on every aspect of my career, it makes me proud. In the hard times and good, there is always something special to learn,” he wrote in a lengthy message goodbye. “Retiring from the game you have loved from a very young age is always hard. I am excited for this next chapter and the new opportunities and challenges it will bring.”

 

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Jensen, a former sixth-round pick, basked throughout his career with both the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He reached the summit with the Buccaneers in the 2020 season after the team won Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2021, voters named the Bucs center to the Pro Bowl for the first and only time in his career.

He played college football at Colorado State University-Pueblo, a small school, from 2009 to 2012. He was named a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award, an award handed out annually to the best Division II lineman. The Ravens spent the 203rd overall pick on him in the 2013 NFL Draft. He ends his career with 90 career starts and 100 games played.

Jensen missed all of this last season after suffering a knee injury in last year’s Wild Card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. It was likely that this destination would arrive, but it’s a shame considering the circumstances.

[Ryan Jensen]

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Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022