Retirement in the NFL isn’t always a permanent thing. Some guys just can’t stay away from the game, while others realize that retirement life isn’t as fun as they thought (looking at you, Tom Brady).
Whether it was a dramatic comeback or just a short-lived return, these 10 players called it quits—only to un-quit and suit up again. Let’s count them down!
10. Marshawn Lynch – Beast Mode Never Really Stops
Marshawn Lynch “retired” in 2016 and even announced it in classic Lynch fashion—by tweeting a picture of his cleats hanging from a telephone wire. But did anyone actually believe him? Less than two years later, he was back, this time with his hometown Raiders. Then, just when we thought it was over, he returned again for a brief Seahawks playoff run in 2019. Beast Mode does whatever he wants.
9. Ricky Williams – Retired for… Uh, Personal Reasons
Ricky Williams shocked the world by retiring in 2004 at just 27 years old. The reason? He wanted to avoid an NFL drug suspension (yeah, we all know why). He spent some time traveling the world and studying holistic medicine before returning to the Dolphins in 2005. He actually played well for several more years, proving that some careers just need a little, uh, break.
8. Rob Gronkowski – The Party Wasn’t Over
Gronk retired in 2019 after years of injuries, countless ridiculous catches, and one of the best tight end careers ever. But come on—did anyone really think he was done? As soon as Tom Brady called, he unretired in 2020, joined the Buccaneers, and won another Super Bowl. Classic Gronk.
7. Randall Cunningham – From Retirement to MVP Form
Randall Cunningham retired in 1996 after a successful but injury-filled career. Then, the Minnesota Vikings came calling, and he unretired in 1997. What did he do next? Just lead one of the most explosive offenses ever, throw 34 TDs, and nearly take the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Not bad for a guy who had already hung it up once.
6. Deion Sanders – From the Booth to the Field
Prime Time retired in 2001, then spent a few years talking about football instead of playing it. But in 2004, at 37 years old, he decided he still had something left in the tank and returned with the Ravens. He wasn’t quite the same guy, but it was still fun watching one of the best corners ever get back on the field.
5. Jason Witten – One Year in the Booth Was Enough
Jason Witten tried the whole broadcasting thing in 2018, joining ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew. But after one season of getting roasted by fans for his awkward commentary, he bailed on the booth and rejoined the Cowboys in 2019. He had a solid season but eventually retired again in 2020—this time for good.
4. Brett Favre – The King of Unretirement
Brett Favre retired… and unretired… and retired… and unretired again. It was exhausting. First, he left Green Bay in 2008, only to return with the Jets. Then, after another retirement, he joined the Vikings in 2009 and led them to the NFC Championship. By the time he actually retired in 2011, no one believed him anymore.
3. Tom Brady – The 40-Day Retirement
Tom Brady announced his retirement in early 2022, giving us emotional speeches, social media tributes, and all the usual farewells. But then, just 40 days later, he changed his mind and returned to the Buccaneers. Maybe he got bored, maybe he realized retirement wasn’t for him, or maybe he just really didn’t want to be stuck at home. Either way, he played one more season before calling it quits (for real?).
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2. Michael Vick – From Prison to Pro Bowl
Michael Vick’s career came to a screeching halt in 2007 when he was sentenced to prison for his role in a dogfighting scandal. After two years away, many thought he was done. But in 2009, he returned with the Eagles and, by 2010, was playing MVP-level football again. His comeback story was one of the most shocking in NFL history.
Read More: These 15 NFL Legends Retired Far Too Young
1. Reggie White – Retirement? Nah, Let’s Win Another Ring
Reggie White retired in 1998, walking away as one of the greatest defensive players ever. But a year later, he had a change of heart and joined the Carolina Panthers for one final season. He wasn’t quite the same dominant force, but the man just couldn’t stay away from football.
Read More: 10 Shocking Mid-Season Quits by Pro Athletes
