Former Seahawks tight end who caught key touchdown in 2022 announces retirement

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 01: Tyler Mabry #85 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second quarter of the game at Lumen Field on January 01, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Seattle Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry has announced his retirement after six seasons in the National Football League.

The 29-year-old Mabry made his retirement official on social media earlier this week.

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Dear football,

You challenged me with insecurities about myself. I'm not going to catch every football. I'm not going to make every block. I'm not the strongest. I'm not the fastest. I'm not going to be the best player on the team. I'm going to fail. I'm going to get injured. People will move on from me.

You taught me about unity. You taught me about being consistent. You taught me effort. You taught me to serve others. You taught me sacrifice. You taught me to just give it my best. You taught me to see it before I was walking in it.

You gifted me coaches that believed in me. You gifted me some of the best trainers in the world. You gifted me coaches that were like fathers. You gifted me teammates that became my brothers. You gifted me the opportunity to travel the world. You gifted me the opportunity to get a free education.

You showed me football isn't my life. You showed me that football can't save me from life problems. You showed me that I needed a Savior. You showed me that football will one day end but my relationship with Jesus Christ will never end.

Football, thank you for being a gift given from God for me to steward that would point me to Jesus Christ. To everyone who prayed for me, poured into me, and supported me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. What's next? What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"

Yours in Christ,

Tyler Mabry

As evident in his statement, Mabry is a deeply religious man who's the founder of The Circle, a mon-denominational Christian nonprofit. Just weeks before his retirement, he married Paris Olympics shot put gold medalist Yemisi Ogunleye.

On the field, Mabry spent much of his time with the Seahawks on the practice squad, but did play 10 regular season games over the course of his career. The former first-team All-MAC standout had just 31 snaps on offense but 108 on special teams. His most important snap doubled as his only NFL target, catch, and touchdown. In Week 17 of the 2022 season against the New York Jets, Mabry hauled in a red zone pass from Geno Smith to give Seattle a 17-3 lead in a must-win scenario. Mabry was called up after Will Dissly suffered an injury.

Tyler Mabry's first catch of his career results in a touchdown.

FOX pic.twitter.com/BMm00fU6ns

- Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 1, 2023

Seattle eventually won 23-6 and eliminated the Jets from playoff contention.

Mabry's final NFL season ended last preseason when he was place on the Carolina Panthers' injured reserve.

All the best to Tyler in retirement and congratulations to him and Ogunleye on their marriage! Let the records show that Mabry is one of the most efficient targets in Seahawks franchise history.