NFL tight end Jimmy Graham confirms retirement days after heroic achievement in a different sport
Graham, 38, is expected to make this announcement as a member of the Saints, with whom he spent the first five seasons of his career before rejoining them in 2023 for what will go down as his final 13 NFL games.
'What a journey,' the five-time Pro Bowl selection posted on X. He also included black and gold hearts and a praying hands emoji.
Graham's retirement decision comes just days after he completed 'The Arctic Challenge' - a rowing expedition across the Arctic Ocean - as part of a four-person team that was bidding to set a world record for the fastest to ever cross it.
According to the Ocean Rowing Society, the team finished in a world record time of 10 days and five hours, beating the previous record of 15 days, five hours and 32 minutes.
Graham, who did not play in 2024, was selected by New Orleans in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Including the playoffs, his 94 career touchdowns rank fifth all-time among tight ends.
The 38-year-old played a total of 13 seasons in the NFL and will retire as a New Orleans Saint
The former First-team All-Pro recorded 719 receptions for 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns in 197 regular-season games with the Saints (2010-14, 2023), Seattle Seahawks (2015-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-19) and Chicago Bears (2020-21).
He played a total of 13 seasons in the NFL and was the league's receiving touchdowns leader in 2013.
Before being picked in the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham had only played one season of college football at Miami, having previously played basketball for the school from 2005-09.
He told ESPN last summer that his retirement plans would be based around New Orleans' needs after his two spells with the franchise.
'I just want to make sure when I retire, it's as a Saint, and it's when they want me to,' Graham said.
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