PITTSBURGH – After eight years in the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers defender Stephon Tuitt announced his retirement Wednesday.
Tuitt, 29, did not play during the 2021 season after the death of his brother in a getaway accident.
“After the tragic loss of my brother Richard, and at the end of my career at the University of Notre Dame, I know I am being called to go beyond the sport of football,” Tuitt said in a statement released by the Steelers.
Selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Tuitt spent eight years with the organization. During his tenure, Tuitt was a regular starter on the defensive end for six of his eight seasons. Tuitt’s status with the organization has been largely a mystery since the low season of 2021. After the death of Richard Bartlett III in June, Tuitt moved away from football in mourning. He also underwent knee surgery in the early 2021 season, but the Steelers decided not to start him on the list of physically disabled to start the season.
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Still, the Steelers were optimistic he would return.
“We have been in contact with Stephon and we are very open to continue helping him and we will continue to assess this position and its availability to us,” said former CEO Kevin Colbert earlier this year. “We’re just waiting for the best for him as he tries to come back and be part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
With the withdrawal of Tuitt, the Steelers lose a major player in their defense. Although he didn’t play last season, when he was healthy, Tuitt was a force to be reckoned with. He had 11 sacks in 2020, the highest of his career, along with two forced fouls.
“His success both on and off the field says a lot about who he is as a person and as a player,” CEO Omar Khan said in a statement. “Stephon had always handled himself with class and maturity, as he continues to be a great husband, father, son and family man in his personal life.”
The Steelers did not use any of their best picks to bolster the defensive line, leaving Chris Wormley and Isaiahh Loudermilk as the top contenders to take Tuitt’s place.
Tuitt had a one-year contract left behind, leaving almost $ 10 million in unlimited money, but it could be spread over several years if the transaction is processed on or after June 1.