Why did former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nick Foles retire from the NFL?
The QB has officially called time on a career that lasted more than a decade. With that, we take a look at what he achieved and why he walked away.
When you consider the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles erected a statue in honor of their former starting signal caller, it’s not hard to understand that he was an integral part of the team that won the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
Nick Foles calls it quits
On Thursday, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Nick Foles, officially brought his NFL career to a close after 11 seasons in the league. In an emotional video that he posted on social media, Foles acknowledged the journey that he made and of course, the people who made it possible.
In total, the 35-year-old played for six teams including the Philadelphia Eagles with whom he had two stints, the then-St. Louis Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chicago Bears, and the Indianapolis Colts. Yet, it was the Eagles and their fans who Foles singled out for a special mention, which is understandable for two reasons: Firstly, Eagles fans continued to support Foles - the first team he played with - even after his departure in 2014. Secondly, Foles repaid their kindness with a Super Bowl win in 2017 after rejoining the team for another go.
It was, by all admissions, an unexpected triumph and Foles at the center of it all only added to that narrative. Do recall that the former Arizona State standout didn’t secure the starting spot until Week 15 after then-starter, Carson Wentz tore his ACL in the previous game. From there, Foles went about his job with a sense of purpose that was truly something to behold, leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl and capping off the win with an MVP performance in the big game.
With all of this as context, one can imagine that the goodbye was a tear-jerker, to say the least. “After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to retire from the NFL,” Foles wrote. “It’s been an incredible 11-year journey filled with unforgettable moments and amazing people. From being drafted by the Eagles to winning the Super Bowl, every step has been a blessing.” It’s worth mentioning that Foles did not play a single minute this past season as no team signed him after the Indianapolis Colts released him in May. That said, Foles has the highest completion rate in a single game in NFL playoff history with 25 and the most touchdown passes in one game with seven.