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| Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports |
Stephon Tuitt, defensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, announced today that he is retiring from the NFL. A message was posted on the Steelers' official Twitter account written by Tuitt. He mentions that after the tragic loss of his brother, Richard, and upon completing his degree at the University of Notre Dame, his calling is beyond football. He also thanked the Rooney Family, Coach Tomlin, and the entire Pittsburgh organization.
Statement from Stephon Tuitt: pic.twitter.com/46iOoOZZZW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 1, 2022
Tuitt leaves having played seven great seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a force on the defensive line, and his loss was felt this past season. There was hope that Tuitt would return after taking last season off, partly recovering from a knee injury, but mostly for his mental health. However, he is choosing to retire and nobody can blame him.
Most of the Steeler faithful have embraced Tuitt and his need for time off from football. After his brother Richard was tragically lost to a hit and run accident in June of last year, it put into perspective that these athletes are human. Despite these players seemingly being moved like chess pieces around a game board, nobody can blame Tuitt for no longer feeling the same passion for football as he once did after such a tragedy. It doesn't even feel right listing his stat line here, albeit great, because with his decision Tuitt is showing how athletes are so much more than that.
We here at Gold Lot Sports thank Stephon Tuitt for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and we wish him peace and success in any future endeavors.