Veteran linebacker Derrick Morgan announced his retirement from NFL on Sunday. This came as a bit of a surprise for many as Morgan, who spent his entire professional career with Tennessee Titans, exits the league at the age of 30.
According to Morgan, his retirement decision has a lot to do with his wish to help others and make an impact outside football.
“My purpose in life is bigger than the game,” – Morgan told ESPN. “What football taught me was the power of influence. My goal is to create better and more meaningful opportunities for marginalized communities to break the cycles of generational poverty and build greater wealth and economic mobility. I feel a deep responsibility to leverage my platform for this.”
Morgan became a free agent after his four-year, $27 million deal with Titans expired following the end of 2018 season. Tennessee decided not to renew the 30-year-old veteran as he was coming off his worst career season. He played 13 games last year and contributed with 25 tackles, three pass deflections, and a career-low 0.5 sacks.
Since getting drafted 16th overall in 2010 by the Titans, Derrick Morgan played a total of 118 regular-season games with the organization. His NFL career stats include 305 tackles, 44.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 26 pass deflections.
