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Former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Johnathan Joseph is hanging up the cleats as he announced his retirement from the NFL after 15 seasons.
Today I retire from the NFL.
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
In the summer of 2006, I signed my first NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fifteen years later, I can say I accomplished my childhood goal of making it to the NFL. I will never forget as a kid telling my father I wanted to be in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/v29OIiziwY
Joseph was the 24th overall selection out of South Carolina by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2006 draft. After playing the first five seasons of his professional football career with the Bengals (2006-10), he signed a five-year $49 million contract with the Houston Texans (2011-19) and proceeded to play for them for nine seasons. He spent time with the Titans and Cardinals last year. Filled in admirably for Byron Murphy and Dre Kirkpatrick when they were out.
In Joseph’s 15-year NFL career, he made 192 regular season starts (211 games). He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro (2011, 2015). Joseph had 787 tackles, 32 interceptions, 200 passes defensed, and eight returned touchdowns (stats from Pro Football Reference) over the last two decades.
His 200 passes defensed is the second-most since 1999 behind Hall of Famer Champ Bailey.
To my teammates & brothers in the game I couldn’t have asked for better locker rooms. Playing with & against you all have been the greatest honor. Thanks to Big Unk Lawrence for always believing in me! To my boys (ride or die)wanna say thank u and my agent Jason Chayut u the best pic.twitter.com/08yYWeYX0n
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
To Johnathan Joseph, congratulations on retirement and a phenomenal 15 memorable years in the NFL. Cheers and best of luck to next chapter in your life!