Steven Nelson, former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback, has announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 31.
Former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson has announced his retirement from the NFL, aged 31.
Nelson entered the league as a third-round pick out of Oregon State, taken No. 98 overall by Kansas City in the 2015 NFL Draft under general manager John Dorsey, head coach Andy Reid, and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
Nelson played 52 games for the Chiefs from 2015 to 2018, making 38 starts and intercepting four passes, all of which he caught in 2018, before leaving for free agency that summer. Nelson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 2019 season, during which the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV.
Nelson spent 2021 with the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as 2022 and 2023 with the Houston Texans, following his tenure with Kansas City and Pittsburgh.
Nelson talked to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 on his choice to retire from football.
“Retirement, after thinking about it and talking with my family, I think it’s time for me to step back and spend more time with my family,” Nelson told Wilson in a phone conversation. “We’re expecting a baby this month, so I wanted to focus all of my time and efforts to that as well as several off-field business initiatives. I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished in the game of football.
“Coming from a small town with few resources, having to attend junior college, making it out of there to Oregon State, which was across the country from my family, going through a lot of trials and tribulations to get to where I am today, and being able to persevere and make it this far.” “I am extremely proud of my legacy and career.”
Wilson stated that numerous NFL teams, including the Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and Miami Dolphins, enquired about Nelson’s talents this offseason. Wilson additionally stated: “Nelson did not entirely close the door on potentially resuming his career at some point down the road.”
“I always will keep my body in shape and will always be ready if the right opportunity comes or I feel like the timing is right and my heart is into, I’ll do it,” stated Nelson to Wilson. “As of now, I think it’s best for me to take a step back and just enjoy my family.”
