Five-time NFL Pro Bowler Terron Armstead recently shed light on his decision to retire from the game of football.
The veteran left tackle announced his retirement in early April after 12 NFL seasons. He played his last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins after spending his first nine years with the New Orleans Saints.
The decision surprised some fans, given that Armstead had been healthy enough to play 15 games last season and had just posted Pro Bowl seasons in 2022 and 2023.
The star O-lineman appeared on Saturday’s episode of the “Nightcap” podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson. Ochocinco asked Armstead about the exact moment that the latter knew when it was time to call it quits. Armstead shared details on his horrifying week-to-week experience just to stay on the field.
“I didn’t see a practice field at all,” said Armstead. “And not because I didn’t want to, or the Dolphins just wanted me to rest. I literally couldn’t walk. After a game on Sunday, I wouldn’t be able to walk under my own power until Wednesday, Thursday. I was only able to play under the pain meds. I couldn’t put any pressure on my knee. I was like, I can’t keep doing that to myself.”
Armstead dealt with several injuries, most notably a knee issue, throughout his NFL career. It’s why he recently called himself the “most injured guy in NFL history.” But Terron enjoyed his healthiest (or so we thought) campaign yet in 2024. He tied his single-season career high with 15 games played and remained as effective as ever on the field.
But what fans see during Sunday game days clearly does not show the full story. Armstead earned five Pro Bowl nods over the last seven seasons, mainly because of his explosive speed at the tackle position.
What Armstead put his body through — the on-field beatings and off-field medication — to remain at that elite level was no longer worth it.
