[ad_1]
PITTSBURGH – After four years with the Steelers, tight end Vance McDonald announced his retirement from the NFL through the team on Friday morning.
In his last season with the Steelers, McDonald made 15 catches for 99 yards. He missed two games after testing positive for COVID-19 and spent the time in quarantine at his farm outside Pittsburgh.
McDonald was also the 2020 Steelers nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work with Convoy of Hope, an organization that, among other things, provided goods and PPE to families in the west. of Pennsylvania during the coronavirus pandemic.
“My family and I are so grateful for everything that NFL football has brought to our lives – all the good and hard memories, the relationships and friends we have made along the way, the life lessons. that the game provided to me and my loved ones, “McDonald said in a statement.” It has always been our dream and our mission to leverage the platform given to us by the NFL to help serve and uplift others along the way, and we will continue to find ways to serve others as we enter this next chapter in our lives. I am proud to retire a Steeler. “
McDonald’s retirement saves the Steelers $ 5.2 million in 2021. With Eric Ebron under contract, McDonald’s option was not likely to be taken over by the Steelers, who also have Zach Gentry, who finished the season on reserve injured, under contract and signed two more tight ends to reserve / futures contracts.
McDonald, 30, was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and joined the Steelers through a trade in 2017.
Known for his stiff Chris Conte arm on a 75-yard grapple touchdown in 2018, McDonald retires with 181 receptions for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns in 101 games in his eight-year career. With the Steelers, he had 117 receptions for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns.
“I appreciate Vance’s contributions over the last four years of his career at Pittsburgh,” coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He was a class act on and off the pitch, leading many of our efforts in the community while also being a voice for our social justice efforts and community work during the pandemic. retirement and her continued work to be a pillar in the community. “
[ad_2]
Source link