Romeo Okwara announced his retirement following a successful NFL career that saw him go from undrafted to signing two extensions with the Detroit Lions.
Romeo Okwara, a Detroit Lions defensive end, announced his retirement with a thoughtful Instagram post Tuesday evening.
After some introspection and meditation I have decided to step away from the NFL.
The game of football has been the largest part of my life for the greater of 18 years, 8 of which I have been fortunate enough to play at the professional level. 4 of those with my brother ♥️ The experiences, friendships, and camaraderie I have been lucky enough to share with my teammates, coaches, and peers is something I will forever be grateful for. You all mean the world to me and I will continue to cheer you on for the rest of our lives!
@detroitlionsnfl organization – THANK YOU for giving this young kid a chance 6 years ago after coming into the league as a Free Agent. My heart is forever with you and the city of Detroit.
I am excited for what’s next as I navigate this crazy transition away from the game
Okwara was undrafted in 2016, but went on to have a successful NFL career. After two seasons with the New York Giants, Okwara was claimed by the Detroit Lions, where he would spend the next six years.
In Detroit, he had an immediate impact, recording 7.5 sacks in his debut season and earning a swift two-year extension. In the final year of his contract, he had his most successful season, recording ten sacks. That won him another contract extension, this time for three years.
Unfortunately, his career took a turn after that. He had an Achilles tear seven months after signing the agreement, and his career never fully recovered. Okwara was still productive enough to see out the remainder of his deal, but he never reclaimed some of the great potential he demonstrated during his healthiest seasons.
Okwara departs at the age of 28, but as a player who has never shied away from pursuing a variety of hobbies outside of football, including an exceptional photography career, he will almost surely find satisfaction in retirement.
