Athletes Who Retired In 2021
Which are the best of the athletes who decided to retire in 2021? This list ranks the best athletes who announced their retirement in 2021. While some athletes planned on retiring in 2021, a few unfortunate ones had to retire due to injury or other personal matters. In many cases, there are famous players who have decided to move on and explore other avenues in life. Other times, recently retired athletes feel that they have made the most out of their careers and want to go out at the top of their game.
Sports stars who retired in 2021 include NFL QB Drew Brees and MLB second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Check this list throughout the year for recent 2021 athlete retirements and vote up the athletes you were most sorry to see call it quits in 2021.
- 1New Orleans Saints (2006-2020), San Diego Chargers (2001-2005)
- Position: Quarterback
Announced retirement on March 14, 2021
Career Achievements:
Super Bowl champion (XLIV)
Super Bowl MVP (XLIV)
2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011)
First-team All-Pro (2006)
4× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2011, 2018)
13× Pro Bowl (2004, 2006, 2008–2014, 2016–2019)
7× NFL passing yards leader (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014–2016)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
2× NFL passer rating leader (2009, 2018)
6× NFL completion percentage leader (2009–2011, 2017–2019)
NFL Records:
Most career passing yards
Most career pass completions
Highest single-season completion percentage (74.4%)
Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass
Most pass completions in a season
Most 5,000 passing yard seasons
Highest completion percentage in a game (96.7%)
Most touchdown passes in a game (tied)
First player to reach 80,000 career passing yards (286 games) - 2San Francisco 49ers (2010-2014), Seattle Seahawks (2015-2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019-2020)
- Position: Guard
Announced retirement on February 22, 2021
Career Achievements:
4× Pro Bowl (2012–2015)
First-team All-Pro (2012)
Second-team All-Pro (2015)
PFW All-Rookie Team (2010) - 3Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots
- Position: Placekicker
Announced retirement on May 26, 2021
Career Achievements:
4× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI)
3× Pro Bowl (2002, 2004, 2014)
3× First-team All-Pro (2002, 2004, 2014)
NFL's all-time leading scorer (2,673 points)
Most consecutive field goals made (44)
Most combined regular season and postseason games played (397)
Most career field goals made (599)
Most career field goals attempted (715) - 4New England Patriots (2009-2020)
- Position: Wide receiver
Announced retirement on April 12, 2021
Career Achievements:
3× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII)
Super Bowl MVP (LIII)
New England Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team
Super Bowl Record - Most Receptions in a 1st Half (7)
Super Bowl Record - Most Career Punt Returns (8) - 5Memphis Grizzlies (2001-2008), Los Angeles Lakers (2008-2014), Chicago Bulls (2014-2016)
- Position: Power forward, Center
Announced retirement on October 5, 2021
Career Achievements:
2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)
6× NBA All-Star (2006, 2009–2011, 2015, 2016)
2× All-NBA Second Team (2011, 2015)
2× All-NBA Third Team (2009, 2010)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2002)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2002)
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2012) - 6Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-2020)
- Position: Guard, Center
Announced retirement on February 12, 2021
Career Achievements:
3× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2012, 2014)
2× Second-team All-Pro (2010, 2018)
9× Pro Bowl (2010–2012, 2014, 2016–2020)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2010)
NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
