Roughly one month after we saw some of the most talented NFL stars of their generation retire — first came Detriot Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch — we have another playmaker under 30 years old announcing that they are hanging it up. Green Bay Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji announced on Monday that he would be taking what he calls a 'hiatus' from football during the 2016-17 season. Raji played in 91 games during his eight-year career, totaling 103 tackles.
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"I have played football and been defined as a football player for as long as I can remember," Raji said in a statement via ESPN.com. "This off-season was the first time that I felt myself pulled in another direction and I am excited to first be 'all in' with my family back home and then to explore new frontiers. I am not exactly sure what the next phase of life will entail, but I am confident that all of the lessons I learned during my NFL journey will provide a solid foundation for success."
Raji was the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Boston College. He was a free agent this offseason for the third straight year after returning to the Packers on one-year deals each of the past two seasons — in 2014 after a disappointing season and in 2015 after missing all of the previous year with a bicep injury.
According to ESPN, Raji taking a year off for him "does no constitute" a retirement. That may be true, but one would assume retirement has a very good chance of being in the back of his mind. Raji will surely enjoy that year off.
