HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: The NFL shield logo is seen following a press conference held by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (not pictured) at the George R. Brown Convention Center on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)One NFL player is putting his quality of life over the opportunity to continue to play. He’s decided to retire.
According to multiple reports, Richie Incognito has decided to call it a career. He spoke to the Buffalo News about his decision to retire after 12 seasons in the league, citing medical issues as the primary reason.
“I’m done, I’m done, that’s it. It’s been a long career,” Incognito told the Buffalo News. “My liver and kidneys are shutting down. The stress is killing me. It’s just about doing what’s right. I just want to be in the Hall of Fame.”
SI’s Peter King reported early Tuesday that Incognito may be ready to retire. The news comes a month after the Bills offensive linemen took a substantial pay cut. It was initially believed that Incognito regretted the decision to restructure his deal considering he’s just days removed from firing his agent via Twitter and according to King had been open to playing another year if the price is right.
According to ProfootballTalk.com, Incognito lost $1.625 million when he restructured the last year of his current deal, but he did receive a $1 million bonus he’d owe Buffalo should he retire.
BREAKING: @68INCOGNITO tells me he is strongly considering retiring. May return for one last season, at the right price.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) April 10, 2018
.@68INCOGNITO also told me he is talking to the Bills about his contract, and has until Sunday to change his mind about retiring. https://t.co/S3gxmjDcs0
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) April 10, 2018
Meanwhile Incognito tweeted a cryptic message to the NFLPA and its president, George Atallah hinting that his career is over.
@nflpa @GeorgeAtallah
I’m done ?— Richie Incognito (@68INCOGNITO) April 10, 2018
The 34-year-old has started all 16 games in each of the last three seasons for the Bills. The guard had successfully revamped his image after he was at the center of a bullying scandal with the Dolphins in 2013.
