Miami (Sun Sentinel) – Terron Armstead will always be known to do everything in his power to go to the NFL match days thanks to an injury.
But the left tackle of Miami Dolphins decided that he had seen the last of these exhausting days of play.
Armstead, 33, called for this a career on Saturday evening, announcing his retirement from professional football during a private event in Wynwood, near the heart of Miami.
“The draft of the 2013 NFL was my first day of work,” said Armstead on the scene of his group as he wore a speech of almost 40 minutes telling his trip. “Today is my last. I appreciate you all. “
Armstead retires after 12 NFL seasons, the last three with the dolphins after joining the team by signing a $ 75 million contract over five years in 2022. It was a selection of the pro Bowl during its first two seasons in Miami, which makes five for his career after his arrival with three bowls in his first nine years with the Holy Orleans.
A decision by Armstead was expected as soon as coach Mike McDaniel, at the NFL annual meeting last week, noted that the team was in constant communication with him and that this word could be received within two weeks. The invitation to the event for Saturday’s party offered a possible index, with a reference to enter a next chapter.
Armstead was joined on Saturday evening by a list of guests of around 400 people with the famous artistic walls of Wynwood closed for its party. McDaniel, the quarter -Arrière of the Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa, the Large Tyreek Hill receiver and several other teammates and coaches – past and present – were present. The longtime teammates of the saints in the quarter-Arrière Drew Brees and the defensive winger Cam Jordan were also there and delivered speeches before Armstead went on stage.
“I am sure that it will be a relief in certain areas, some challenges in others, perhaps a vacuum,” said Armstead because he can now alleviate his mind by playing constantly through an injury. “I am a very competitive man. I am. I aim to win. But I have more rushers of passes in front of me, my children. This is another battle for which I was able to prepare. ”
In Armstead’s speech to his guests, he reviewed his difficulties and tight calls that almost made his dreams of the NFL impossible.
He tore by speaking of the chance that he had a scholarship at Arkansas-Pine Bluff after the school has already missed sports scholarships.
Armstead revealed a key moment for him, it was when the former saints coach Sean Payton insinuated, after abandoning a tackle for the defeat in his first pre-season match, that he may not have been played in the NFL. Armstead responded to criticism when he could easily have folded frustration.
He was emotional to discuss the death of his brother and the dependence on his father’s drug and alcohol, but proud of his father to be sober since the day he told him that he had to be cleaned if he ever wanted to see his son or grandchildren again. As for the children of Armstead, he said that he would never have reached the NFL without discovering that he had twins on the way during his breakup and at university.
The last off -season has already presented in Armstead a decision on the opportunity to play the 2024 season. He finally decided to return, but the Dolphins began to shape their future plans in the left tackle, selecting Patrick Paul in the second round of last year’s draft.
With Armstead by the way, Paul now thinks of sliding towards starting tasks in the left tackle, opposite Austin Jackson on the right tackle.
“It’s the guy,” said Armstead about Paul. “It’s his time. He knows it. He will be ready. He is a worker. He is talented. You have put these two together, you will be successful.
“I do not know exactly how his career will take place. Everything plays a role. Patrick Paul will make his role. He will work his buttocks. He will use his talents, his capacities, his strengths and everything that will happen after that will be out of his control. Everything he can control, he will do his role.”
Miami added goalkeeper James Daniels in a free agency, while re-signing Liam Eichenberg and seeing Robert Jones go to Dallas Cowboys. With Aaron Brewer the departure center and Larry Borom signed as a possible reserve line player, the Dolphins can always be projected to add more depth along the line in the draft of the NFL at the end of April and perhaps another signature of free agent.
At the NFL screening combination at the end of February, McDaniel said that dolphins would operate during the offseason as if Armstead did not return. On the same day, Armstead brought back its salary ceiling number at least to give the team a space to maneuver.
Armstead has often treated injuries during his career, missing on average more than five games per season since 2016. Last year, he played in all matches except two, but there were several cases where he had to draw from a match with his knee without feeling lime at the start of the outing. A sustainable image was captured by CBS cameras in a December game at New York Jets when Armstead sat on the bench with a look of disappointment and helplessness on his injuries.
“Never missed a year, because I fight,” said Armstead during his speech.
One thing that can never be questioned about Armstead, apart from his committed commitment to play if he could physically, is that, when he was available, he was a solid and solid blocker both in the race game and the protection of the passes.
The 2025 season will have a change in leadership for dolphins. The announcement of Armstead’s retirement intervenes in the week of the defensive platform Calais Campbell, which was also at the party, choosing to sign with the Cardinals of Arizona in the Free Agency. Miami will move on without his most experienced veteran both in offense and defense next season.
The best players like Hill and Cornerback Jalen Ramsey may have to be stronger leaders next season to keep the team together, as well as the growing leadership of players such as Tagovailoa, the great-back Alec Icold, the defensive platform Zach Sieler, the secondary Jordyn Brooks and others.
