5 NFL stars who returned from retirement
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Rob Gronkowski sent shockwaves throughout the NFL on Tuesday. The five-time Pro Bowl tight end was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after notifying the New England Patriots he'd like to come out of retirement to join longtime teammate Tom Brady down south.
Although Gronkowski's return caught many off guard, it's not all that unusual to see superstar NFL talents come out of retirement for one last kick at the can.
Here are five other stars who came back to add a second, and even third chapter to their storied careers.
Marshawn Lynch
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyOn Feb. 7, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks running back took to social media to announce his retirement from the NFL in typical Marshawn Lynch fashion, posting this during Super Bowl 50:
- Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016
After sitting out the 2016 season, "Beast Mode" put his cleats back on in 2017 when the Seahawks agreed to trade Lynch's rights to his hometown Oakland Raiders. He signed a two-year deal with the club and produced a decent stint, rushing for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns in 21 games before a groin injury prematurely ended his 2018 campaign.
The five-time Pro-Bowler returned to the NFL again during the final week of the 2019 season, signing with the injury-riddled Seahawks to help the team reach the divisional round.
Deion Sanders
Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettySanders abruptly announced his retirement in summer 2001, just one season after inking a splashy seven-year, $56-million deal with the Washington Redskins.
Four years after calling it quits, Sanders was back on the gridiron. The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive back signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in August 2004. Though the Ravens failed to make the playoffs in the two seasons he played, Sanders added to his individual accomplishments, scoring his ninth career interception return touchdown to move into a tie for second place on the all-time list. He's since fallen to fifth.
Brett Favre
The Washington Post / The Washington Post / GettyBrett Favre just couldn't let football go. The Hall of Fame quarterback came out of retirement twice after initially calling it quits following 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Favre's first retirement would be short-lived, as he returned to the field donning a new shade of green. After asking the Packers for an unconditional release, Favre was dealt to the New York Jets in August 2008. The three-time MVP informed the Jets of his retirement following the season, then returned to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings throughout 2009 and 2010, leading the team to the NFC title game in the former campaign.
Randy Moss
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyRandy Moss bounced around to several teams during a tumultuous 2010 season, ultimately hanging up his cleats in August 2011. On Feb. 13, 2012, his 35th birthday, Moss announced his desire to return, joining Jim Harbaugh and the San Fransisco 49ers on a one-year deal.
In his final career outing, Moss fell just shy of capturing that elusive championship, as the 49ers narrowly lost Super Bowl 47 to the Baltimore Ravens. Despite never winning a title, the electric wideout ranks fourth all time in career receiving yards, and he owns several individual NFL records, including most single-season touchdown receptions (23 in 2007).
Ricky Williams
Icon Sports Wire / Icon Sportswire / GettyFour seasons into his career, Ricky Williams had established himself as one of the NFL's top running backs, looking poised to take his game to an even higher level after an incredible 2002 season. However, Williams' downfall soon began both on and off the field.
In May 2004, it was announced Williams had tested positive for marijuana in Dec. 2003, and he was fined and suspended four games. Shortly before training camp for the 2004 season, Williams retired. After stepping away for a year, he returned to the Dolphins in 2005 and served his four-game ban.
Williams was suspended for the entire 2006 season for violating the NFL's drug policy a fourth time. He spent that year playing for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL before returning to the Dolphins in 2007.
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