Former San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould introduced his leaving from the NFL on Thursday in a story written for The Players’ Tribune.
“Now, although football has been a really great part of my life for the past 18 years, it is with the utmost regard and appreciation that I officially announce my retirement from the National Football League,” he wrote.
Gould, 40, ranks tenth in league historical past in issues scored (1,961) and 8th in farmland objectives made (447). His 86.4% occupation luck price on his farmland function makes an attempt is 9th all-time.
Gould used to be some of the first sovereign brokers signed by means of the San Francisco 49ers next tutor Kyle Shanahan and normal supervisor John Lynch took over in 2017. Since after, he remained one of the constant kickers within the NFL and develop into some of the league’s all-time prominent scorers.
“It didn’t take more than two words to convince me that I wanted to play in that city,” he wrote. “Kyle. Shanahan. His personal talent as arguably the best coach in the business, combined with that offense? I had zero hesitation about wanting to be a part of that culture. San Francisco may not have had the best record at the time, but the thought of what that team could become from a long-term perspective was impressive to me.”
Ultimate season, Gould used to be 27-of-32 on farmland objectives and 50-of-51 remaining issues on his method to transferring into 2nd playground in farmland objectives (161) and fourth in scoring (704) in Niners historical past.
He additionally used to be seize within the playoffs right through his occupation, making all 29 farmland function makes an attempt, together with 8 in 2022, and 39 PATs.
He wrote that his maximum memorable kick got here in a playoff sport on the Green Bay Packers in January 2022 when he kicked a 45-yard farmland function with 4 seconds left to raise the 49ers to the NFC Championship Sport.
“We didn’t win it all or even make it to the Super Bowl that season, but, man, that one felt good. I’ve always had a healthy respect for the Packers and that fierce Bears-Packers rivalry. More than anything, though, I just absolutely love Bears fans,” he wrote. “So, to hit a huge kick like that, on the big stage, to continue my streak of never missing a kick in the playoffs and to also make all of Chicago happy in the process by taking down its rival? It was the best of both worlds.”
The Niners worn the franchise tag on Gould in 2019, however the 49ers drafted kicker Jake Moody within the 3rd spherical, transferring on from their longtime kicker in partial of the rookie.
Sooner than signing with San Francisco, Gould spent 10 seasons with the Bears and one season with the New York Giants. He used to be a Professional Bowl variety in 2006. He’s the Bears’ all-time prominent scorer with 1,207 issues.
“From start to finish, I loved everything about my time in Chicago,” Gould wrote for The Gamers’ Tribune. “… We had some deep playoff runs, and we made a ton of memories. The McCaskey family gave me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream, and it was an honor to play for them. Ultimately, I hope that we made Bears fans proud. They deserve it.”
Gould added that Chicago “became my home” and it’s the place he met his spouse and they’ve raised their 3 kids within the town.
“My favorite team has been waiting for me at home to join them full-time — no contract needed. I’m excited to be more present with my family and to focus all of my attention on what matters to me outside of football. For the longest time, my career has naturally filled my schedule, and my wife has taken the reins at home. My oldest is 10 years old, and I’ve been away from him for large chunks of nine years. My younger two boys are eight and five. For most of their lives, Dad hasn’t been fully present. So, without interruption, I’m ready for this next stage of life,” he wrote.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner contributed to this record.
