Two-time Super Bowl champion Shaquil Barrett has definitively announced the end of his professional football career, stating this retirement is permanent. The 33-year-old linebacker, who previously stepped away in July 2024 only to return months later, confirmed in an exclusive interview that he is now "100 percent done for good."
A Career of Triumph and Heartbreak
Shaquil Barrett secured Super Bowl rings with two different franchises, first with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 and later with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. His initial retirement announcement last summer was short-lived, as he rejoined the Buccaneers for the 2024 playoff run. He even explored a comeback this season, holding a workout with the Indianapolis Colts as recently as October.
However, the athlete's perspective shifted profoundly after a family tragedy. In April 2023, Barrett's two-year-old daughter, Arrayah, tragically drowned in the family pool. "It hurts every day," Barrett revealed, describing the grief as "something that we deal with on a daily basis." This loss, coupled with injuries, took a significant mental toll and reshaped his outlook on life.
Family Becomes the Ultimate Priority
Barrett explained that his primary reason for leaving the sport is a renewed commitment to his family. He stated he was no longer willing "to sacrifice family time too much" and expressed a desire "to be there for everything that I can possibly be with my family." This commitment has only strengthened with time.
In June, his partner, Jordanna, gave birth to their sixth child, daughter Amaiah Marie. The couple also has sons Braylon, 12, and Shaquil Jr., 13, as well as daughters Aaliyah, 10, and Allanah, who is nearly two. Barrett now aims to dedicate his time to helping his children "develop into the best possible people that they can be."
Love for the Game Faded, But Legacy Remains
The veteran defender admitted that his passion for football had waned before his 2024 retirement. "Everything just got old to me. I didn't enjoy it anymore," he confessed. While the love for the game briefly rekindled during his comeback, he acknowledged it became inconsistent. "When that phase comes of me loving the game and no team picks me up, then that love faded away again," Barrett said.
He also felt uneasy about his brief return last season, comparing it to "cheating the system" because he skipped the gruelling training camp and only played the final few games. "I like putting in the groundwork and building everything," he emphasised, highlighting his strong work ethic.
Looking ahead, Barrett and his family plan to move "home" to Colorado next year. While he is "still trying to figure out" his next chapter, he is considering coaching or training, focusing on mentoring young people. "Anywhere I can be around kids and just give them a lot of the lessons that I learned... that I feel that can help them be better people," he stated.
Ultimately, Shaquil Barrett leaves the NFL with a profound legacy and a clear new purpose: to be fully present for his family and use his experience to guide the next generation.
