Former New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills corner Jabari Greer announced his retirement from football Thursday morning, bringing down the curtains on what was a successful ten-year NFL career.
The former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, who made the Bills' squad in 2004 en-route to a five-year stay in upstate New York, went on to sign as a free agent with the Saints ahead of the 2009 season. Greer's addition helped solidify the Saints' secondary as the team went on to win Super Bowl XLIV.
Known for his excellent coverage skills, leadership abilities and strong presence off the field, Greer recorded 13 interceptions across his career. At a time when the Saints were desperate for help on the defensive side of the ball, Greer's addition paid dividends as the team went on to claim its first-ever Super Bowl triumph.
Greer remained an ever-present in the Saints' secondary in the years after the Super Bowl win, and was starting outside opposite Keenan Lewis well into the 2013 season before a November knee injury shut him down for the rest of the season and playoffs. Greer tore the ACL and suffered additional structural damage in his left knee, and underwent season-ending surgery soon after.
He was released in February of this year in a cost-cutting move at a time when New Orleans was desperate to get under the league's salary cap. Greer had hinted over the summer that he was not actively seeking a return to the league, and was simply biding his time, focusing on his recovery and additional time he now had to spend with his family. Jabari Greer has announced his retirement from football.
"I think right now today, I’m very content with where I am," Greer said in July. "But in the future, I’m sure that itch is gonna come, because it does for everybody. I guess it just depends if I decide to scratch it or not."
Greer was making a guest appearance on ESPN's "First Take" Thursday morning, when he made his announcement. He was asked to appear on the show to voice his views on the recent issues facing the league from the fallout of the Ray Rice saga, given his ties to the Saints, who were hit with severe penalties in the aftermath of the infamous bounty scandal two years ago.
The 32-year-old was then asked about his future in the game, and responded by taking a sip from a white coffee cup that had the word "Retired" printed on it, showed his Super Bowl ring, winked at the camera and said simply, "It's been fun."
Following his appearance on First Take, Greer tweeted "10 years was a blast! Thank You Lord! #retirement"
The Saints, who struggled defensively in their season-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, would have likely kept Greer's name atop their "in case of emergency" contact list, had a need to add another defensive back come to the forefront. However, the Tennessee native appears content to hang up the cleats for good, with plenty of great memories and a Super Bowl ring in tow.
Greer had also participated in Track and Field at the University of Tennessee, where he won a national championship in the 60-meter hurdles, as well as two SEC titles. He holds a degree in Psychology from the school.
No matter what comes next in life for Jabari Greer, whether it be television, coaching, public speaking, or simple family life, his impact will forever be held in the highest of regards in New Orleans, Buffalo, Knoxville, his hometown of Jackson, TN and all points in between.
Thank YOU, Jabari Greer. It was, indeed, a blast.