The average NFL career is just over three years long. It’s all too often we see amazing players have careers derailed for reasons that are out of their control. It leaves many question marks about what their careers would look like but that doesn’t mean we can still honor what they did in their time.
For this list, we will be going over 10 NFL Careers That Were Cut Way Too Short.
Sterling Sharpe
In 1995, at just 28 years old Sharpe had to end his career when most receivers are just starting their prime. From 1992 – 1994 he put up three straight Pro-Bowl seasons, having over 1000 yards every time and leading the league in receptions twice.
A neck injury forced him to his abrupt retirement but not all was lost as he advanced to one of the final stages of Hall of Fame voting in 2023.
Bo Jackson
At the time Jackson was one of the most hyped running back prospects in NFL history. In his four years in the league, he showed why. The most yards he ever got in a season was 950 but that doesn’t show the whole picture.
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In three of his four years, he led the league in the longest run just showing a glimpse of his potential. In his age 28 season, he suffered a hip injury that stopped his football career. Of course, this would lead to a decently successful MLB career.
Sean Taylor
Taylor was on pace for such an amazing career. In 2006 and 2007 he was named to back to back Pro-Bowls. He had gained a reputation for being one of the most feared defenders at just 24 years old due to his ability to lay anyone out.
In the middle of 2007, he was tragically shot by intruders in his own home in Miami and died the next day from the injuries sustained. In his honor and due to his incredible play during the season he would be named Second Team All-Pro
Pat Tillman
Tillman was only four years into his NFL career when he decided to retire and join the military in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. He did this instead of accepting a multimillion-dollar contract on the table. He was the true definition of an American hero and still to this day has not been forgotten.
As many know he was killed in 2004 in Afghanistan in the line of duty.
Ryan Shazier
Shazier was on the verge of a huge contract at the age of 25 when tragedy would stop his career. After back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, he was considered a top linebacker in the league. His speed allowed him to make plays no matter where he was on the field.
During a Monday Night Football game against the Bengals, he suffered a spinal cord injury that many believed would leave him paralyzed for life. He has since and even gained the strength to walk again.
Andrew Luck
From his rookie year, it was clear the Colts had found their franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck. By his third season, he was already leading the league in touchdowns with 40 total. His first injury came in 2017 when he missed the entire season because of a shoulder injury. He would come back in 2018 making a Pro Bowl and winning Comeback Player of the Year.
It would be his last time suiting up though as he would retire due to mental health and family reasons at age 30.
Gale Sayers
From 1965 to 1969 Sayers finished top five in MVP voting and was named First Team All-Pro every year. He was quickly putting together a resume that could lead to a Hall of Fame career. It was a number of severe knee injuries that would end his career.
The first came in 1968 and it finally caught up to him in 1970 as he played just 2 games with the same happening in 1971. He was forced to retire at just 28.
Terrell Davis
It was clear from very early into his career that Davis was elite. He was consistently getting better every year with his peak coming in year four where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and won the MVP award. He would also be a key piece in a Super Bowl win for the Broncos that year.
In 1999 he suffered a torn ACL in just the fourth game and he would never fully recover from it. Three years removed from his MVP season he was forced into retirement at the age of 29.
Calvin Johnson
There may not have been a more completely rounded receiver in NFL history. Johnson had elite speed, size, and catching ability. At the time in 2012, he had even broken the receiving yards record with 1,964. At the age of 30, he was still dominant as he just had his sixth straight season with 1,000 yards.
Unfortunately due to many health concerns, his losing his love for the game and the Lions having a serious lack of success brought him to his decision to retire in 2015.
Barry Sanders
Sanders was a generational talent with his worst season coming in 1993 when he still had 1,115 rushing yards. In 1997 he would even be named MVP for rushing over 2,000 yards. By the end of 1998, he was still dominant and just entering his prime at age 30.
That of course would be his final season though as he would retire due to dissatisfaction with how the Lions were being run.
