Former Hobart Statesmen and Tampa Bay Buccaneers OL Ali Marpet announced via Instagram yesterday he has decided to retire from the NFL after seven seasons. While it was a surprise to many, I had an inkling after Super Bowl and Pro Bowl seasons, Marpet would hang it up early.
You can read about the reaction around the NFL in this article by ESPN's Jenna Laine.
His rookie year in Tampa he played with former Patriots OL Logan Mankins who had a pretty rough injury history, so he saw what the toll of a longer NFL career can look like first-hand. Over the years Marpet has had surgeries on his ankle, elbow and he has suffered a few concussions as well. He represented the Bucs on the NFLPA and has always had a bigger picture perspective thanks to his Hobart education (#whyD3).
While it's difficult for many to comprehend walking away from such a well-paying job, for those of us lucky enough to know Ali, he is way more than just a football player. He is too much of a deep, intelligent and self-aware person to throw the possibility of a long, healthy life away just for money. After 103 career starts, a Super Bowl Championship and a Pro Bowl nod, he really has done it all. I imagine the record he set as the highest ever drafted D3FB player will stand for quite some time as well.
I suspect in time we will see Marpet involved in the Tampa community in forms of charitable work and perhaps some business ventures. Sometime in the spring of 2023 I hope to attend the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Hobart in his and a few others (Tyre Coleman '15 will be a part of that group and deservedly so) honor. That will be announced at a later date.
In the meantime, as I texted him yesterday, congratulations on a great run. We've loved seeing him play since the "Bart days". Can't wait to see where life takes him next.
Knowing Ali, it'll be something great.
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
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