Former Gamecock standout Johnathan Joseph announces retirement from the NFL after 15 seasons
For the first time since 2005, Johnathan Joseph won’t be suiting up for an NFL season.
The former Gamecock standout is finally hanging up his cleats after 15 seasons in the NFL. Joseph announced his decision to retire on Thursday.
Joseph was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals where he played for five seasons but landing in Houston for nine seasons.
Incredibly, Joseph played in 211 NFL games and made 192 starts at the game’s highest level. During that time, Joseph registered 32 interceptions, defended 200 passes, 787 tackles and scored seven defensive touchdowns.
During that time, Joseph was named to the Pro Bowl twice.
Here is how Joseph announced his retirement from the NFL, which included a shoutout to the Gamecocks, his teammates and his fans, among others:
Today I retire from the NFL.
In the summer of 2006, I signed my first NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fifteen years later, I can say I accomplished my childhood goal of making it to the NFL. I will never forget as a kid telling my father I wanted to be in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/v29OIiziwY
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
To my teammates & brothers in the game I couldn’t have asked for better locker rooms. Playing with & against you all have been the greatest honor. Thanks to Big Unk Lawrence for always believing in me! To my boys (ride or die)wanna say thank u and my agent Jason Chayut u the best pic.twitter.com/08yYWeYX0n
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
Thank you Northwestern High, @cccredravens, @GamecockFB, @Bengals, @HoustonTexans , @Titans and @AZCardinals for believing in me.
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
Last but not least thank you to the fans. You are the best fans in the world. You made playing the game worth it.
It was an honor to play the game at the highest level and I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life.
— Johnathan Joseph (@JJOE2424) June 10, 2021
