Shaquem Griffin announces retirement from NFL

Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. He told The Players Tribune he wanted to help people with the NFL Legends Community.

“Football was always Plan B,” Griffin wrote. “My dad used to tell me and my brother that. As kids, we had dreamed of playing together in the NFL, but whenever we talked about it, our dad would remind us that if we made it to the league — especially if we got to play together — that would be an added blessing. A bonus.”

“Plan A was to go to college, get an education and do something that would make a positive impact in the world.”

Seahawks reunited Griffin and his twin brother, Shaquill, back in 2018 when he was selected as a fifth-round pick by the team. Griffin has played in 46 regular-season games throughout his three seasons with Seattle.

His first game with the Seahawks was in 2018 against Denver. Griffin was signed into the Seahawks practice squad and appeared in 14 games after being cut off before the start of the 2020 season. Then, he signed with Miami Dolphins for the 2021 season but eventually left.

Griffin said he had “worked out” with several teams before realizing it was not what he wanted.

“Football had already given me so much, and the only thing I still really wanted from the game was to play with my brother again,” he said.

“So I told my agent, Buddy Baker, thank you for grinding and bringing me these opportunities. But unless it’s Jacksonville, I’m good.”

Griffin said he had told commissioner Roger Goodell about his wish to join the NFL Legends Community.

“That experience and that invitation from the commissioner locked me in and led me to the decision I had to make,” Griffin wrote.

“The time has come for me to retire from professional football. It’s time for me to execute my Plan A.”