Jonathan Vilma Retires: Latest Comments and Reaction

After nearly two full seasons out of the NFL, Jonathan Vilma is officially retiring. The three-time Pro Bowler announced the formal end of his playing career Sunday and will be honored prior to the New Orleans Saints' Week 13 clash with the Carolina Panthers.

“I’m excited to be retiring from my playing career as a member of the New Orleans Saints,” Vilma said in a statement. “I loved everything about being a Saint and was fortunate to be surrounded by so many outstanding coaches and teammates for six years and to be a part of the team that won Super Bowl XLIV. I would also like to thank our fans for making my playing career in New Orleans so memorable. I will never forget the amazing fans here and the experiences we shared together.”

Vilma, 33, last played for the Saints in 2013. He spent six seasons in New Orleans overall, earning back-to-back Pro Bowl berths in 2009 and 2010 while helping lead the team to a Super Bowl XLIV victory. A 2004 first-round pick, Vilma spent his first four NFL seasons with the New York Jets. He won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award and led the NFL in tackles during his second season.

While his 10-year career was split nearly down the middle, Vilma and most fans associate him with the Saints—for better and for worse. The highs included the aforementioned Pro Bowl berths and postseason success, but the lows arguably helped lead to a premature end to his career.

Vilma was one of the most prominent names of the New Orleans Bountygate scandal, with commissioner Roger Goodell initially suspending him for the entire 2012 season. A series of appeals wound up allowing Vilma to appear in 11 games that season overall, but the stigma never really wore off. A preseason knee injury limited him to just one game in 2013, and he received little interest after being released by the Saints the following offseason.

Still, there's an obvious affection for Vilma that still exists within the New Orleans locker room.

“Jonathan Vilma is one of the most talented, dedicated and determined players that I have had the pleasure to coach,” Saints coach Sean Payton said in a statement. “Whether it was on the practice field, in the meeting room or in the weight room, Jonathan’s leadership, preparation and effort were second to none. He was an enormous asset to our team and was an integral part of us winning a Super Bowl.”

Overall, Vilma finishes his career with 872 tackles, 12 interceptions and 10.5 sacks. 

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