Top Five NFL Players That Retired Young

[Eduardo23]

In this article, we rank great NFL stars who retired in the prime of their careers. From Lions legend Barry Sanders to Luke Kuechly, who announced his retirement in January after just eight seasons in the league.

Read more here.

[shadymcgrady]

Why isn't Patrick Willis listed?

[MinnesotaFats]

Good list

Noone ever brings up this guy...who walked away after his best season

Can you name him....

[RavensFan2k3]

Good list

Noone ever brings up this guy...who walked away after his best season

Can you name him....

That has to be Robert Smith given the years

[Kermit]

That has to be Robert Smith given the years

Yep. Retired after having the best season of his career. I think he was still in his 20's when he called it quit.

[JIBBBY]

Smart guys probably and all rich today after walking away from football, they all are walking without a limp or severe frontal lobe brain damage today.. That's playing it safe!!

Personally I would have stayed in the game if I loved the sport and set more NFL records and really try to get my name into that NFL hall of fame..

With risk comes reward!! You only live once. Just my opinion.

[Brock Landers]

Jim brown
Barry Sanders
Andrew luck
Robert Smith

[cincinnatikid513]

vince young

[2daBank]

Smart guys probably and all rich today after walking away from football, they all are walking without a limp or severe frontal lobe brain damage today.. That's playing it safe!!

Personally I would have stayed in the game if I loved the sport and set more NFL records and really try to get my name into that NFL hall of fame..

With risk comes reward!! You only live once. Just my opinion.

penetrate that, I rather my one life be full of me enjoying myself with the millions I made in my 20s. Why in gods name should they play until their bodies broken down and brains scrambled? No amount of money or records makes ya feel better when you wake up every morning and can’t make it to the pisser, if they can even remember where the damn thing is! Get in, get past your rookie deal, get yourself one fat contract and get the penetrate out!! Unless you playing qb in this era where you don’t have to worry about getting clocked on every play! In that case sure, play till you 50 and still walk away in great condition!

[JIBBBY]

penetrate that, I rather my one life be full of me enjoying myself with the millions I made in my 20s. Why in gods name should they play until their bodies broken down and brains scrambled? No amount of money or records makes ya feel better when you wake up every morning and can’t make it to the pisser, if they can even remember where the damn thing is! Get in, get past your rookie deal, get yourself one fat contract and get the penetrate out!! Unless you playing qb in this era where you don’t have to worry about getting clocked on every play! In that case sure, play till you 50 and still walk away in great condition!

Same could be said for Boxers.. You love the sport you love the sport. If you just play to make a few bucks then play and get out..

It's a personal decision. I'm not hating on it.. Just calling it for what it is Bankers.. It's tough on fans and the City when your star player suddenly retires young.. That's all...

I think Barry Sanders for Detroit was the biggest bow out.. Well Michael Jordan leaving the NBA in his prime was even more shocking.. He came back though..

[DoctorStrong]

Rodney Hampton

[cybersharp]

Jim Brown. Retired at 29 while at his career zenith, so that he could bang
Raquel Welch in "100 Rifles". And star in a whole bunch of other films.
Dirty Dozen, Dark of the Sun, etc.

Barry Sanders wasn't actually at his career peak when he retired at age 30,
but he was close. Got pissed at the Lions because they made him pay back
a few million in bonus money he'd gotten, since he retired WAAAYY early.

[Goat Milk]

Barry, Calvin Johnson, Andrew Luck. 2/3 are lions.

[Shute]

Only 1 player
Barry Sanders

[Otters27]

I drafted Robert Smith in fantasy and all my friends laughed at me because he was retired

[Goat Milk]

Only 1 player
Barry Sanders

Calvin Johnson? Guy had like 83 touchdowns in 9 years I think. For context, I think Julio Jones has like 57 in same amount of years, in era where there's even more scoring.

Calvin and Barry Sanders are two of the greatest ever at their positions. Calvin had a good 3 years left of pure dominance. Every CB used to say he was the biggest nightmare they'd ever faced.

[Mr KLC]

Ryan Leaf
Akili Smith
Heath Shuler
JaMarcus Russell
Michael Sam

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Good ones listed so far.

Let's add:

Bo Jackson


Honorable mention:

Pat Tillman

[Eddy Munny]

Tim Couch

[BigJay]

Terrell Davis

[Mike Huntertz]

Same could be said for Boxers.. You love the sport you love the sport. If you just play to make a few bucks then play and get out..

It's a personal decision. I'm not hating on it.. Just calling it for what it is Bankers.. It's tough on fans and the City when your star player suddenly retires young.. That's all...

I think Barry Sanders for Detroit was the biggest bow out.. Well Michael Jordan leaving the NBA in his prime was even more shocking.. He came back though..

He was asked to leave or face some legal items....gambling? Just my guess.

[DrunkHorseplayer]

Merrill Hoge.

[Bcatswin]

Ryan Leaf
Akili Smith
Heath Shuler
JaMarcus Russell
Michael Sam

Hilarious

[Bcatswin]

Sean Taylor if not passed away. RIP. Mad way to go out. I know that wasn't the question

[Eddy Munny]

Tim Tebow

[MinnesotaFats]

We forgot a great tackle, Boselli

...and Gronk, thou hes back now maybe

[JAKEPEAVY21]

What came to mind immediately were:

Barry Sanders
Jim Brown
Andrew Luck
Patrick Willis

[HockeyRocks]

Billy Sims
Ickey Woods
Tony Boselli