After 13 seasons, one of the top safeties in the NFL is calling it a career. On Wednesday, strong safety Malcolm Jenkins announced his retirement.
Jenkins played with two teams for his entire pro career. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2009 where Jenkins won the Super Bowl in his rookie season. After five seasons in New Orleans, Jenkins went to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for six years and won a second Super Bowl title. Jenkins went back to the Saints in 2020 and played for two years until he retired.
Grateful 🙏🏾 After 13 seasons, my time on the football field has come to an end. I’m just a boy from Piscataway, who through this game, became a champion in the sport and a champion for the people. My time on the field may be over, but I’ll never stop fighting for the people. ✊🏾🖤 pic.twitter.com/vd9u5eNU0H
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) March 30, 2022
At 34, Jenkins’ retirement comes as a bit of a surprise but based on what Jenkins said on The Pivot podcast, he accomplished all he wanted to do on the football field. “I have accomplished Super Bowls, Pro Bowl, all that there is to do in this game. And when I came in, I always wanted to make an impact on the game on and off the field. And I just feel like at this point I’ve accomplished that.”
Many showed their appreciation for Jenkins, as they highlighted his off-field contributions to society with his social justice efforts along with what he did on the field.
Malcolm Jenkins was the epitome of a leader, on and off the field. An advocate for social justice who used his voice to spread a message of positivity and progress every step of his career.
Forever a change-maker and forever a champion. pic.twitter.com/cGvpEnTgV2
— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2022
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 30, 2022
Congrats to @MalcolmJenkins 🙌
Helped us win a Super Bowl as a rookie in 2009, retires as a Saints captain in 2022 ⚜️
Thank you for your leadership in the locker room and the community – cant wait to see the impact you have in your next chapter 🙏 https://t.co/Ek9cv7gT2r
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 30, 2022
Malcolm Jenkins retires today as the only player in NFL history to defeat both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in a Super Bowl
Jenkins & the @Saints defeated Manning & the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV 🏆
Jenkins & the @Eagles defeated Brady & the Patriots in Super Bowl LII 🏆
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 30, 2022
Malcolm Jenkins is one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever covered.
In one locker room session, he’d handle questions ranging from defensive philosophy to politics to social justice reform, providing blunt, thoughtful responses to each.
He was a force as a leader.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) March 30, 2022
Malcolm Jenkins announced his retirement from football after 13 seasons.
Six of them – the high point of his career – were spent with the #Eagles. He won a Super Bowl early with the Saints, but he was instrumental in bringing a Lombardi to Philly.
A smart, fearless leader. https://t.co/yccwkQe0KS
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 30, 2022
Malcolm Jenkins was one of the best draft picks in Saints history, the definition of a pro and one of the great leaders I’ve covered in my career. Big things ahead for him in his post-playing career, no doubt. https://t.co/ZsKn6XDX2R
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) March 30, 2022
Incredible career closing out with Malcolm Jenkins retiring. One of the true ironmen of the NFL who was impactful until his final snap in the league. Remarkable dude.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) March 30, 2022
What a career for Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, who made his mark both on and off the field. Saints have a safety — and a leader — to replace now. https://t.co/SdlWBwLu2y
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) March 30, 2022
[ESPN]
