TE Greg Olsen retires from NFL and will join Fox Sports as broadcaster

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Three-time Pro Bowl tight winger Greg Olsen announced ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship game that he plans to retire and join Fox Sports’ NFL coverage.

Olsen spent the 2021 season with the Seattle Seahawks after spending the previous nine with the Carolina Panthers, where he became the first tight end in NFL history to have three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2014- 16.

The Panthers have released Olsen, 35, during the 2020 offseason under new coach Matt Rhule. He signed a one-year, $ 6.6 million contract with Seattle in February.

In July, Olsen signed a deal to become Fox Sports’ No.2 NFL TV analyst, associated with Kevin Burkhardt, after his retirement.

“Proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish in this league, proud of the connections and everything the game has given me,” Olsen said on Fox Sports’ pre-game show. “But sometimes when it’s time, it’s the time and my time in the NFL has now ended. I’m excited for the next chapter.… I’ve pulled everything out of my system.”

He was greeted on Twitter by the Panthers and Seahawks after making his announcement.

Olsen played for Seattle last season in hopes of achieving the one thing he lacked in his 14-year career – a Super Bowl title.

It did not go as planned. He caught 24 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown in 11 regular season games and was held without a catch on eight shots in Seattle’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Olsen spent four weeks on reserve injured with a torn plantar fascia – a foot injury he sustained in Carolina – then missed the Seahawks’ regular season finale after returning in Week 16.

After injuring his foot in Week 11, Olsen posted a photo of himself limping off the field and vowed that wouldn’t be how his NFL career ended.

Olsen posted on next post on social media after announcing his retirement:

“As a young kid, I never dreamed of playing in the NFL. Back then, my dreams hadn’t gone beyond the local high school team that my dad coached. My dad is still the best trainer of my life. He introduced my brothers and I to the game at a very young age and invested every ounce of himself to help us reach our potential. My mom was the biggest fan in the games. bleachers from the start. She was the loudest and proudest. She was our rock when we lost and our shoulder when Dad was too tough.

“The past 14 years have made me take this trip with my best friend. My wife, Kara, is the best thing that has happened to me. Since our first date in Miami, she has been by my side during it all. . Living with me for the past 14 years has not been an easy task. I try to remember it every day. My 3 children, Tate, TJ and Talbot have taught me a life bigger than me and my own desires and I look forward to the next chapter together as a family I can’t wait to make up for so many moments that I have missed as I continue this life.

“To the countless teammates, coaches and staff in Chicago, Seattle and especially Carolina, thank you. You shaped and shaped me to be the player and the person I am today.

“I try not to look back and have regrets. I have so many things to be proud of in my career. But looking back on my career, I have two. never reached the top of the mountain I wish I had left the field under the weight of confetti, but the fulfillment of our dream failed.

“Watching time go by, in an empty stadium, knowing it would be my last game. Not having the capacity to be surrounded by my relatives. Not being able to hug them and thank them for a life of love and sacrifice.

“Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it was a great race. ”

Olsen finished as Carolina’s all-time leader in receiving yards (6463), receptions (524) and 100-yard receiving games (10) by a tight end. His 60 touchdown catches rank eighth among all tight ends in the NFL.

Drafted by the Chicago Bears with the University of Miami’s 31st overall draft pick in 2007, Olsen was traded to the Panthers in 2011.

Brady Henderson of ESPN contributed to this report.



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