By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Cornerback Darrelle Revis announced his retirement from football via Instagram on Wednesday, after 11 seasons in the National Football League. He spent most of his career with the New York Jets, but won his only Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots in 2014.
“For the past 11 years, it has truly been an honor to showcase one of my greatest gifts to the world,” Revis’ Instagram post reads in part. “Today I am closing a chapter in my life that I once dreamed of as a kid … The game of football has opened doors for me I once thought were nearly impossible.”
Check out the full post below:
Revis also expressed his pride in his bringing “fun and excitement to the term ‘shutdown corner’,” which he most certainly did for most of a career that will one day enshrine him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Revis earned First Team All-Pro honors four times: 2009-11 with the Jets, and in 2014 with the Patriots.
The cornerback was known as much for his consistent lockdown coverage, which earned him the now-iconic nickname “Revis Island”, as his ambitious contract negotiations. Riding his relentless pursuit of the top dollar, Revis redefined the term “mercenary” and exemplified that to the fullest effect in his Super Bowl-winning season in New England, a one-year deal for $12 million with a $10 million signing bonus.
Revis signed a five-year, $70 million deal to return to the Jets in 2015. He ended up lasting only two seasons with the Jets on the contract, and got about $38.6 million out of it. He earned about $124 million over the course of his career, per Spotrac.
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In 2017 the Jets cut the 33-year-old Revis, who eventually signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in November. He lasted just five regular season games and one playoff contest before the Chiefs cut him in February.
Despite the sharp decline at the end of his career, Revis had already established himself as perhaps the greatest cornerback of his era. Plenty of top corners have emerged since his NFL debut in 2007, but few have even approached the level of dominance that he displayed early in his career, especially in his first stint with the Jets. And, in desperate need of a true No. 1 corner in 2014 after the departure of Aqib Talib, the Patriots got a year of mostly outstanding coverage from Revis that culminated in their Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Patriots fans may remember Revis’ time with the Jets all too strongly. But his excellent 2014 season played a big role in the Pats’ championship run and should always be appreciated on some level.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
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