Former Cleveland Browns running back Demetric Felton has announced his shock retirement from professional football at the age of 27. The former UCLA standout took to Instagram on Tuesday night to confirm the news, sharing an emotional message with his followers, captioned: 'It's been a ride.'
A New Chapter
In his post, Felton wrote: 'I'm not retiring because I'm hurt. I'm not retiring because I don't love this game. I'm retiring because I know there's a football player out there who needs me. I'm retiring from professional football to take a role in Player Development with the Cleveland Browns. This is not the end of my football life. This is my evolution.'
He added: 'I'm honored and grateful to the Browns for believing in me for this role. And I'm motivated to give every player I come in contact with two things I never had: the person who sees them for who they are, not just the stats or the wins, and the resource I wish I had every single time I walked into a new building.'
Reaction and Career Highlights
The former Browns star's post was inundated with congratulatory messages from fans and former teammates as he confirmed the next chapter of his career. Felton was originally selected by the Browns in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft following a standout collegiate career at UCLA. During his tenure in Ohio, he quickly became a fan favorite for his ability to impact the game as both a rushing option and a receiver out of the backfield. He appeared in 24 games for Cleveland, rushing eight times for 20 yards and hauling in 20 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Later Career
After being released by the Browns in August 2023, Felton spent time on the practice squads of the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, and Indianapolis Colts. His final stint in the league came with the Washington Commanders before he was ultimately let go during the team's final roster cuts ahead of the 2025 season.
