Green Bay Packers tight end Martellus Bennett shared on Instagram stories that he’s “pretty sure” he’s retiring after this NFL season.
#Packers TE @MartysaurusRex says on Instagram stories that this year is likely his last and that he’s calling it a career. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/H4wkOTSDMK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2017
“After conversations with my family I’m pretty sure these next eight games will be the conclusion of my NFL career. To everyone who has poured themselves and time into my life and career. These next games are for you.”
The 6’6, 275-pounder is only 30 and is still a productive NFL tight end (24 receptions for 233 yards this season; a 55/703/7 line last season), but this news isn’t all that surprising. Martellus –like his brother Michael, a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks — has been outspoken on many issues over the last year.
Bennett was the first Patriots player to say he wasn’t visiting Donald Trump’s White House after winning the Super Bowl.
He ripped the NFL for having an educational video on how players should properly celebrate.
He responded to Trump’s NFL protest comments about “son of a bitch” players by saying, “I’m ok with being fired for what I believe in.”
And after Jets rookie safety Jamal Adams said on the topic of CTE that the football field is the “perfect place to die,” Bennett said, “Look football is great but I ain’t dying for this shit.”
Bennett is also a very happy father (as you can tell by his Instagram) and a children’s book author. So, we don’t know the exact reason — it could be several reasons — that he apparently wants to retire, but it’s easy to see how he may not be in a hurry to keep playing in the NFL.