Latest news with #JimmyGraham
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Graham thanks New Orleans and the Saints in retirement announcement
The New Orleans Saints have had a rollercoaster of an offseason so far in 2025, with the team having five retirees over the course of a few months, including franchise legend Jimmy Graham. One of the best-accomplished tight ends in NFL history, Graham had the opportunity to really showcase his talent with the Saints over the years, with a few stops on other teams. Thankfully, he will retire a Saints player and will end his career where it started back in 2010. After his intent to retire was shared by Saints team reporter John DeShazier, Graham sent out a thoughtful message to New Orleans as a whole and fans of the team that gave him an opportunity to shine. Here's the full quote: Walking away from this game is emotional... not because it's over, but because of what it gave me. New Orleans... you didn't just take a chance on a football player. You gave an orphaned basketball player a shot when the rest of the league had doubts. The coaches, the staff, my teammates... you all became family. Every yard I ran, every touchdown I fought for, I gave you my entire spirit. This city didn't just change my became a part of who I am. Forever grateful. Graham's career in New Orleans was an extremely special one, and as it finally sets in for everyone involved, hopefully, he will find a spot in the Saints Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, where he belongs without a shadow of a doubt. Even better, a Pro Football Hall of Fame nod would be spectacular, but that is further down the road once his eligibility opens up. A legendary player, whenever he took the field, he now steps away and pursues a multitude of other goals in life, as the team looks to pay their dues to one of the best to ever don the Black and Gold.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jimmy Graham announces retirement after 13 NFL seasons
Tight end Jimmy Graham will officially retire from the NFL as a member of the New Orleans Saints. The five-time Pro Bowler announced his official retirement via the Saints' team website on Tuesday. "During the season at some point I'm going to be in New Orleans to retire, to do that the right way, in front of the people I love and the people I care about," Graham said Tuesday via the Saints. Graham, 38, played one more year for the Saints – the team that originally drafted him in 2010 – in 2023 after previously sitting out the 2022 season. He also did not play in 2024. Graham was one of two notable Saints veterans to announce his retirement Tuesday. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, who played the last three seasons of his 12-year career in New Orleans, also said he was calling it a career. All told, Graham played 13 seasons in the NFL for four teams: five initial years with the Saints, three with the Seahawks, two with the Packers, two with the Bears, then one more with the Saints. Along with his five Pro Bowl appearances, Graham was named to the All-Pro first team in 2013, the year he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (16). SAINTS RETIREMENTS: Tyrann Mathieu announces he's hanging up his cleats after 12 seasons Shortly before officially announcing his retirement, Graham completed a 10-day rowing journey across the span of the Arctic Ocean – a trip of more than 670 miles (and 580 nautical miles). With their official time of 10 days and five hours, Graham and his three fellow crewmembers broke the record for the "Arctic Challenge" by more than five days, according to the challenge website. Jimmy Graham stats Graham played 13 seasons in the NFL, the first five of which he played as one of the best tight ends in the league. Here are the stats from his career: Jimmy Graham contract Graham hasn't played in the NFL since 2023, but here are the details for his last NFL contract from that season: Jimmy Graham net worth While there aren't reputable sources available for Graham's total net worth, Spotrac has details on the tight end's career earnings in 13 seasons as a player.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NFL tight end Jimmy Graham confirms retirement days after heroic achievement in a different sport
Veteran tight end Jimmy Graham has confirmed a report from the New Orleans Saints' team website that he plans to officially announce his retirement in the near future. 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.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Saints' Tyrann Mathieu, Jimmy Graham retire as franchise changes direction
The Honey Badger is hanging up his cleats. Tyrann Mathieu, the diminutive 33-year-old safety, announced his retirement on Instagram on Tuesday in a stunning move that comes a day before the Saints open training camp. 'As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way.' Mathieu wrote. 'From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community.' 3 Saftey Tyrann Mathieu during minicamp. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images 'To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined.' Mathieu's retirement comes just a month after he addressed media at New Orleans' minicamp and not long after Kellen Moore was hired as head coach to replace the fired Dennis Allen. 'I'm a little surprised but we had some advanced notice,' Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday. 'Just have so much respect for Tyrann and what he's accomplished. I mean, he's a legendary Louisiana player, legendary NFL player. Really appreciate his time with us. He was fantastic. … What a great career.' Mathieu also played for the Cardinals, Texans and Chiefs, racking up three first-team All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowl nods. He won a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2019, wrapping up a 12-year NFL career that began as a third-round pick in 2013 who slid due to some behavioral issues while at LSU. 3 Mathieu celebrating the Cheifs super bowl victory. AFP via Getty Images He'll have some company in the retirement ranks with legendary Saints tight end Jimmy Graham officially announcing his playing days coming to an end. 'What a journey,' Graham wrote on X following the news. Graham hasn't suited up since 2023 in a return tour with New Orleans, the team that drafted him in 2010. He spent the first five seasons with the Saints, establishing himself as a top-tier tight end with 4,752 yards and 51 touchdowns. He never seemed to replicate his success in New Orleans during his subsequent stints with the Seahawks, Packers and Bears. 3 Saints tight end Jimmy Graham in 2013. Anthony J Causi Graham recently made history with a 584-mile Arctic rowing challenge, completing the grueling journey in just over 10 days as part of the first mixed-gender and all-American foursome to do so.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Second-year Saints tight end Dallin Holker announces his retirement
After an eventful day in New Orleans -- from the buzz surrounding the team's new gold alternates to the retirements of franchise legends Jimmy Graham and Tyrann Mathieu -- another roster move quietly slipped under the radar. The Saints waived former undrafted free agent tight end Dallin Holker as training camp opened this morning. The second‑year player out of Colorado State had drawn some intrigue as a potential H‑back option but never managed to carve out a significant role. Instead, Holker announced on his personal Instagram account that he is retiring from football: I can't thank God enough for the opportunity to live out my dream. I'm incredibly grateful for my amazing wife and family — your love and support have meant everything throughout this journey. After a lot of prayer and conversations with my family and representatives, I've decided to retire from football. I want to thank the New Orleans Saints, Colorado State, BYU, and Lehi High School for believing in me and giving me the chance to chase a dream I've had since I was a kid. Over the past 15 years, football has given me unforgettable memories and lifelong relationships with teammates and coaches — things I'll always hold close. Football will always be a part of me, but I'm excited to see what this next chapter holds. This year should've been Holker's best chance to stick around with injuries to both Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill, who will start training camp on PUP. It's worth mentioning that Holker dealt with his own ankle injury during minicamp earlier this offseason, and that may have played a part in his decision. Holker's most notable moment came in last season's finale, when he caught two of his three total receptions on the year for 11 yards against Tampa Bay. He ends his brief tenure in New Orleans with three catches for 21 yards and no touchdowns. Good luck to him in what's next.
