Chiefs' Super Bowl champion abruptly retires from NFL at age of 29
That was the journey traveled by Richie James, who took home a championship ring after spending the 2023 season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
But late Friday, James took to social media to announce his retirement from the NFL. He hadn't played in a game since winning the Super Bowl in February 2024.
"It took time but I have come to realize I am retired from the NFL," James wrote on X. "7th round out of MTSU. I feel like I was just a ball player to last that long. Unfortunately my knee never healed properly. I was playing hurt since '22. Oh well. I gave everything I got to the game of Football."
MORE: It's a big time for Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland
James' NFL career began as a seventh-round pick (240 overall) out of Middle Tennessee State in 2018 by the San Francisco 49ers.
For the 'Niners, James played three seasons and caught 38 passes for 689 yards with three touchdowns.
He spent the 2022 season with the Giants, a career year with 57 grabs for 569 yards and four TDs.
James joined the Chiefs for 2023 and caught 10 passes in the regular season. In the Super Bowl, he returned four punts for 12 yards.
In his career, James was known as a return guy, with 1,081 kick return yards (1 TD) and 373 punt return yards.
James is just 29 years old, but injuries clearly took their toll.
He'll always have the ring, though.
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