After more than a decade of playing in the NFL, six-time Pro Bowl Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is calling it a run.
The third general selection of the 2010 NFL Draft announced his retirement from football on Friday, finishing his career with 59.5 sacks.
Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers celebrates a save against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 16, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
McCoy was recruited from the University of Oklahoma by the Tampa Bay Buccaneersspending nine seasons with the Bucs and making the Pro Bowl every year from 2012-17.
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His six Pro Bowl selections with the Bucs are tied for third in franchise history with Mike Alstott and Lee Roy Selmon.
McCoy last appeared in an NFL game in 2021 with the las vegas raidersplaying in only one game before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
In his nine years at Tampa Bay, McCoy recorded 54.5 sacks, 220 solo tackles, 79 tackles for loss and 153 hits at quarterback.
His 54.5 sacks are the fourth-highest total in Tampa Bay history.
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McCoy joined the carolina panthers in 2019 after being released by the Buccaneers, generating five sacks in 16 games.
Carolina Panthers defensive end Gerald McCoy chats with NFL Network’s Melissa Stark after playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 13, 2019 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (Martin Leitch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While with Carolina, McCoy stated his desire as a Buccaneer.
«I’m going to retire a Buc. I can tell you now,» McCoy told reporters in 2019, according to the Tampa Bay Times. «Yes. What do they do? One-day contracts? Ten-hour contracts? Whatever. I don’t know what it’s called. I’m going to retire (like) a Buc.
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Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
«I’ve already talked to the owners, we’ve already established it. So regardless of where I go, if I stay here a couple more years, if I go somewhere else, when I officially retire, I’ll be gone.» and retire as a buccaneer».
After a year with the Panthers, McCoy signed with the Dallas Cowboysbut he tore his quad in the offseason and missed the entire 2020 season.