Shazier retires: 'I still love football'

The former first round selection of the Steelers in the 2014 NFL Draft, Ryan Shazier, announced his official retirement as an NFL player on Wednesday via Twitter.

"When I was 5 years old, I made the greatest discovery in my life," Shazier said. "I discovered a game that I love, the game of football. Ever since then, I've given my life to the game. I love everything about it, playing it, practicing it, studying, watching it, talking about it and thinking about it. Football gave me everything I could ever want, and more. It taught me about hard work, dedication, teamwork, took me to college and the NFL. It made me money and gave me a life most can only dream about."

Shazier was a star linebacker at Ohio State, where over three seasons he amassed 317 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles. He would earn first team All-American honors as a junior in 2013 before he declared for the NFL Draft. 

After being drafted by the Steelers, Shazier would make 41 starts at inside linebacker over the next four seasons. He totaled 299 tackles, seven interceptions, 25 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and four fumbles recovered. 

During that time, Shazier would make the Pro Bowl twice in 2016 and 2017, and the Steelers would make the playoffs in every season he played from 2014-2017. Shazier's last game came when he was injured on December 4th, 2017 at Paul Brown Stadium on a Monday night in Cincinnati. The Steelers would win 23-20, but Shazier would leave the game partially paralyzed after a hit in the second quarter.

"I'm here today to make sure the world knows how much I still love football," Shazier said. "How grateful I am for everything football gave me, and I'm here to let the world know that, today, I am officially retiring from the game I love so much. It's been over a thousand days since I've been hurt in the field. To lose the game in a way I never envisioned has not been easy. When you play the game of football the way I did, you convince yourself that you're superman, that nothing can stop you. But then, the moment I got hurt, I stopped being superman. That was difficult to make sense. But the way I look at it, God put us all here to for a purpose. For twenty years, he let me play football, and now it's time for me to do what he wants me to do."

Since being injured, Shazier has regained the ability to walk, married his wife Michelle, even danced at their wedding. He's remained involved with the Steelers since his injury, being around the team over the past few seasons.

"I'm going to step away from the game for a while and see what else life has to offer," Shazier continued. "I know football will always be here for me if I need it, but right now I'm excited to explore some new challenges and a few different paths. You'll be hearing from me real soon about all the things I'll be doing. I want to thank my lovely, wife, and kids, and parents for all their support and their love."

Shazier also took time to thank his trainer and the Steelers, and their fans for their support in his recovery.

"I want to thank my trainer, Jerome Howard of VPD, for his patience and passion. I want to thank the Steelers organization, coach [Mike] Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and Mr. [Art] Rooney. There was a day in rehab a while back where they came to watch my progress. I had a long way to go, but I remember looking over and seeing them watching me as if they were a pro day or a combine. Right then, I never had a doubt how much they cared about me as a person, and not just as a player. I also wanted to thank the people of Pittsburgh. You've been with me ever since I was drafted, through good times and rough times, but never more than during my recovery. Thank you to every Pittsburgher for your support, and thank you to everyone over the country and around the world for praying for me. I needed your strength and your spirit, and you gave it to me."

Shazier finished his comments with a reflection on how he's grown through the game and how it impacted his life.

"When I first discovered as a kid, I thought I discovered a game," Shazier continued. "It turns out I discovered something more than that. I discovered something that would turn me into a man. That would teach me how to live and how to chase success. When I got hurt, football may have been taken away from me, but everything it gave me is still inside. I am incredibly grateful for that, and I am truly excited now to discover what's next."

Mike Tomlin and Vince Williams joined a Zoom call Wednesday afternoon to share their thoughts in celebration with Shazier announcing his announcement.

"When I think about you and your growth and development, I think about you two," Tomlin said of Shazier and Williams. "I think about the mornings where you guys sharpened your swords and your love of the game. But more than that, your commitment to the game. I'd grab a cup of coffee, come in there and watch you guys grow with the game of footbal. More than anything I want you know how fun it was to watch that natural development. I appreciate you for allowing me to be part of that. We wanted to be here because we wanted you to know we love you brother. And we're really looking forward to watching you take the next step in life and see the greatness God has in store for you."

Williams added to the moment with his admiration for his former teammate. Williams and Shazier played together through all of Shazier's four NFL seasons, with Shazier being drafted in the first round the very draft after Williams was drafted in the sixth round in 2013. They were starters together through 2017, an experience that led them calling each other brothers.

"I love you man," Williams started. "Thank you for all the memories that we've had together. I just want to let you know, you were always a much better person than you were a football player. And when you're a person like that, that's always going to translate to things off the field. I'm just so excited to see you attack other things the way you attack football with that lion's aggression. I love you bro, and I'm excited about what you've got going, and I'm happy I'll get to be there with you."