New York: Ndamukong Suh, the five-time All-Pro defensive tackle and Super Bowl 55 champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday, ending a 13-season career marked by dominance, controversy, and durability. The 38-year-old, who played for five teams and amassed over 70 career sacks, made the announcement in an emotional post on X, formerly Twitter—exactly one year after the passing of his father.
Suh, who last played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, had not taken a snap in over two years but had never formally retired—until now. “Before he passed, he gave me one final piece of advice: ‘It’s time to let football go,’” Suh wrote. “Today, one year later, I’m honoring that wish.” He added, “I’m officially retiring from the NFL. I left it all on the field, and now I’m stepping away with peace and gratitude.”
July 12, 2024 was the hardest day of my life.
It’s the day I said goodbye to my father, the man who raised me, shaped me, challenged me, and believed in me before I believed in myself.
He wasn’t just a dad. He was my idol, my coach, and my anchor.
He taught me what it meant to… pic.twitter.com/WkefQaDrsQ— Ndamukong Suh (@NdamukongSuh) July 12, 2025
The Detroit Lions’ 2010 No. 2 overall draft pick, Suh became an immediate force, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year, three first-team All-Pro nods, and a reputation as one of the NFL’s most feared and polarizing players. Known for his aggressive style and off-field investments, Suh finishes his career with 600 tackles, 130 tackles for loss, 71.5 sacks, and three defensive touchdowns.
Also Read: Happy Gilmore’s Iconic Hockey Stick Putter Is Finally Here
NFL Stats and Career Trajectory: Was Suh Hall of Fame-Worthy?
With Ndamukong Suh’s career stats now officially locked in, debate has already begun over whether he’s Hall of Fame-bound. A five-time All-Pro, Suh was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team alongside Aaron Donald and Geno Atkins—an elite group of interior linemen.
During his five seasons with the Detroit Lions, Suh notched 36 sacks and was regarded as a game-wrecking presence up the middle. After signing a six-year, $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in 2015—the richest deal for a defensive player at the time—his on-field impact and locker room presence drew mixed reviews. He was released after three seasons.
Suh’s career rebounded with the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, culminating in a Super Bowl 55 victory with Tom Brady’s Bucs. “That Super Bowl ring meant everything,” Suh later said. “It validated my journey.” He later made a brief return with the Eagles in 2022.
How Suh Plans to Build a Post-Football Legacy
Following in the footsteps of athlete-entrepreneurs like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, Suh is pivoting to media and finance. He announced that he will be hosting a podcast with The Athletic called “No Free Lunch”, focused on financial literacy and real-world money advice.
“I want to share what I’ve learned; especially with athletes, entrepreneurs, and young people navigating life and money,” Suh wrote. “Because freedom doesn’t come from fame—it comes from knowledge.”
Suh has long had an interest in personal finance. According to Forbes, he grew up around real estate and investment strategy, and has remained close with billionaire investor Warren Buffett, whom he contacts “once or twice a quarter.”
Legacy, Net Worth, and Hall of Fame Debate
While Suh retires with accolades and a Super Bowl ring, the conversation around his Hall of Fame candidacy remains complex. His production—over 70 sacks, 600 tackles, multiple All-Pro nods—makes a compelling case. But Suh was also frequently penalized and once voted the “dirtiest player in the NFL” by his peers in 2012.
Still, his impact is undeniable. “I was never here to be liked,” Suh said during his Rams tenure. “I was here to dominate.” Off the field, his reported career earnings top $166 million, not including endorsements and business ventures, according to Spotrac.
Suh is married to Katya Suh, a former college athlete and sports broadcaster. The couple has two children.
