Offensive attack Mitchell Schwartz, a four-time All-Pro selection, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday after nine seasons.
Schwartz, 33, did not play last season after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs last March. He underwent surgery last February for a back injury that prematurely ended his 2020 season and broke a streak of 134 consecutive starts.
In his statement posted Thursday on social media, Schwartz wrote that he has been undergoing rehabilitation since that surgery.
“I currently feel as good as I have since, but it is clear that my body will never be the same. The nervous pain in my legs is no longer an everyday fact, but it may never go away completely,” he said. . he said in the statement.
Mitchell Schwartz played his last five seasons with the Chiefs, during which he was selected for four All-Pro teams and won a Super Bowl. AP Photo / Peter Joneleit
Schwartz spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, who selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft away from Cal. He signed with the Chiefs in 2016 as a free agent and was All-Pro each season from 2016 to 2019, including being selected to the first team in 2018.
He had a streak of 7,894 consecutive offensive tackles to start his career before being briefly eliminated from a mid-season game in 2019. He didn’t miss a game that season, however, and also started each of the three postseason games. of the Chiefs, including their 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl LIV to earn their first championship ring.
“Winning the Super Bowl was the pinnacle of my career,” he said. “I’ve met so many older people and forged relationships that will last a lifetime. Football was a big part of my life and always will be. I love the game and I have a passion for sharing my knowledge. But I never I defined him as a football player ”.
In fact, the affable offensive lineman has garnered a large number of fans both for his cooking demonstrations and for his often scorching criticism of the NFL. The videos of “Mitch in the Kitch” are posted on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and his own blog.
“I really enjoyed my time in the NFL and I left feeling satisfied,” said Schwartz, whose brother, Geoff, played six seasons in the NFL. “I have other interests that I will have more time to explore: food / cooking and my ‘Mitch in the Kitch’ series, travel, golf, horology. But most importantly, I will spend more time with my wife, Brooke, and our two small dogs “.
He ended his statement by thanking the City of Kansas City and the Chiefs ’supporters.
“My last thanks are to Kansas City and all the Chiefs fans. Being Chief is so much more than wearing a red T-shirt. It has been a privilege to represent you on and off the field,” he said in the statement. . “The bond I’ve created with this city and the people here lasts forever and it’s a big reason why Brooke and I stay at KC in the long run.
“There was no better indication of the magnitude of the Kingdom of the Chiefs than the parade. Seeing that Sea of Red was amazing and it put into perspective how many people cheered us on, knowing there were many more who couldn’t This city and its Support is hard to describe until you feel it personally. I am forever a boss and there is no other place I would rather be. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.