The 15 Most Controversial NFL Retirements of All Time

The NFL has seen its fair share of legendary careers come to an end, but not all retirements are a simple ride off into the sunset. Some players have left the game in a whirlwind of controversy, confusion, or just plain drama.

From shocking early exits to unexpected comebacks, here are the 15 most controversial NFL retirements of all time.

15. Jim Brown (1966) – Hollywood Over the Huddle

Jim Brown was at the peak of his powers when he decided to ditch the Cleveland Browns for the bright lights of Hollywood. Instead of preparing for another season, he was filming The Dirty Dozen in England. When Browns owner Art Modell demanded he return, Brown chose movies over football. Safe to say, it worked out pretty well for him.

14. Barry Sanders (1999) – The Mystery Fax

Barry Sanders stunned the NFL world when he announced his retirement via fax… from London. The Detroit Lions legend walked away from the game at 31 years old, still in his prime, and just 1,457 yards shy of Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record. Fans and analysts have spent years wondering what could have been.

13. Ricky Williams (2004) – High Hopes and Higher Drama

Ricky Williams was one of the most exciting running backs in the NFL—until he suddenly retired before training camp in 2004. Why? He wanted to avoid a suspension for testing positive for marijuana. Williams then spent his time traveling the world, studying holistic medicine, and, well, probably enjoying a different kind of greenery.

12. Calvin Johnson (2016) – Another Detroit Disaster

Detroit, man. The Lions took another massive hit when Calvin Johnson, also known as Megatron, retired at just 30 years old. Citing injuries and frustration with losing, he called it quits—much like Barry Sanders before him. The Lions didn’t take it well, and it took years before the two sides made peace.

11. Brett Favre (2008) – The “I Retire, No Wait, I Don’t” Saga

Brett Favre retired. Then he unretired. Then he retired again. Then he unretired again. It was an exhausting cycle of indecision that dragged on for years. The Packers eventually moved on to Aaron Rodgers, and Favre ended up playing for their rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. This one had all the drama of a soap opera.

10. Rob Gronkowski (2019) – Party First, Football Later

Gronk retiring at 29 was a bit of a shocker, but honestly, was anyone surprised? The guy had taken a beating over the years and had plenty of business ventures (and party plans) to focus on. But just when the Patriots thought he was gone for good, he reappeared in 2020—to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay and win another Super Bowl.

9. Andrew Luck (2019) – The Most Unexpected Retirement Ever

Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement during a preseason game left fans (and even his own teammates) in complete shock. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback had been battered by injuries, but no one expected him to walk away at just 29 years old. Colts fans literally booed him off the field as the news broke.

8. Patrick Willis (2015) – A Linebacker Walks Away Early

Patrick Willis was one of the best linebackers in the league, but he shocked everyone by retiring at 30 due to foot injuries. While it was understandable, it left the 49ers’ defense in shambles. What made it even more controversial? His former backup, Chris Borland, retired one year later due to concussion concerns, making people question the future of football.

7. Chris Borland (2015) – The Most Thought-Provoking Retirement

Speaking of Borland—his retirement at 24 after just one NFL season was one of the biggest wake-up calls about head injuries in football. He cited concerns over concussions and long-term health as his reason for quitting, which led to debates over player safety and the risks of the sport.

6. Jim Harbaugh (2001) – Coach Mode Activated

Jim Harbaugh Head Coach University of Michigan — Wikimedia Commons

Jim Harbaugh’s NFL playing career didn’t end with much fanfare, but his transition to coaching was a bit rocky. After bouncing around as a backup, he left to coach in the college ranks before stirring up controversy as the fiery head coach of the 49ers. His playing career ended quietly, but his impact on football never did.

5. Marshawn Lynch (2016) – The Infamous Tweet

Marshawn Lynch announced his first retirement in the most Marshawn Lynch way possible: by tweeting a picture of his cleats hanging from a telephone wire during the Super Bowl. But, of course, that wasn’t the end—he came back in 2017 to play for the Raiders. Then he retired again. Then he came back again for a short Seahawks playoff run. Beast Mode never really stops.

4. Tiki Barber (2006) – The Retirement That Backfired

Tiki Barber left the NFL on his own terms, thinking he was heading for TV superstardom. He retired at 31, fresh off a great season, and immediately started throwing shade at his old Giants teammates—especially Eli Manning. The Giants then won the Super Bowl the very next season, while Barber’s media career… didn’t exactly flourish. Oops.

3. Tony Romo (2017) – The Booth Called Louder Than the Field

Tony Romo’s retirement wasn’t super dramatic, but Cowboys fans were stunned when their longtime QB left for the CBS broadcast booth. He probably could’ve kept playing, but instead, he became one of the best (and most entertaining) NFL analysts on TV. Not bad for a guy who went undrafted.

2. Tom Brady (2022… and Then Again in 2023) – The One That Didn’t Stick

Tom Brady’s first retirement in 2022 lasted exactly 40 days before he changed his mind and returned to the Bucs. The move reportedly played a role in his divorce from Gisele Bündchen. When he retired again in 2023, he promised it was for real this time. But let’s be honest—no one would be surprised if he came back.

1. O.J. Simpson (1979) – The Most Infamous Exit

O.J. Simpson’s retirement itself wasn’t that controversial—he was a Hall of Fame running back who played a final forgettable season with the 49ers before calling it quits. But everything that happened after football? Well… we all know how that went. Let’s just say his post-NFL career was a bit more eventful than his actual retirement.