Walter Thurmond Retires: Latest Comments and Reaction

Safety Walter Thurmond announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, confirming the news to Les Bowen of Philly.com.

"That is official," Thurmond told Bowen.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Rand Getlin first reported on the retirement.

Thurmond, 28, spent six seasons in the NFL, playing with the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. He had a resurgent season in his one year with the Eagles, registering 71 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games, the first full season of his career.

Pro Football Focus highlighted his high level of play when it came to getting after opposing quarterbacks:

Injuries hampered Thurmond for much of his time in the NFL. He missed 44 of a possible 80 games in his first five seasons with Seattle and New York after being a fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2010.

In Seattle, he played in the famed Legion of Boom with Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor and was the team's nickelback when it won the Super Bowl after the 2013 season.

He signed with the Giants before the 2014 season, but a torn pectoral tendon cost him all but two games.

Thurmond was a free agent this offseason and was expected to generate plenty of interest around the league after his strong 2015 campaign. But he reportedly has plans for his post-NFL life, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News:

Bowen reported that Thurman is already working on a documentary on recording artist Eddie Levert, the lead vocalist of the O'Jays. With a contingency plan in place and a career riddled by injuries, Thurmond's retirement at a young age became the logical choice for the safety.

Thurmond's career revival with the Eagles in 2015 was not enough to convince teams to sign him. He's been a free agent since March and has not been able to find a new home, though his injury history and post-retirement plans set him up well for a bright future.

Even though Thurmond is walking away from the NFL at a young age, he made the most of his time in the sport. He won a conference title at Oregon in college and a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.

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