Robbie Gould, 10th all-time in scoring, retires from NFL،
Former San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday in an article written for The Players' Tribune.
“Now, although football has been a very important part of my life for the past 18 years, it is with the greatest respect and gratitude that I officially announce my retirement from the National football League,” he said. -he writes.
Gould, 41, ranks 10th in league history in points scored (1,961) and eighth in goals scored (447). His career success rate of 86.4% on his field goal attempts is ninth all-time.
Gould was one of the first free agents signed by the San Francisco 49ers following the arrival of coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017. Since then, he has remained one of the most consistent kickers of the NFL and became one of the best players in the league. top scorers of the time.
“It didn’t take more than two words to convince me that I wanted to play in this city,” he wrote. “Kyle. Shanahan. His personal talent as arguably the best coach in the business, combined with that offense? I had no hesitation in wanting to be a part of that culture. San Francisco may not have had the best record at the time, but the idea of what this team could become in a long-term perspective impressed me.”
Last season, Gould finished 27 of 32 on field goals and 50 of 51 on extra points, en route to moving into second place in field goals (161) and fourth in field goals (704). ) in Niners history.
He has also made the playoffs throughout his career, making all 29 field goal attempts, including eight in 2022, and 39 PATs.
He wrote that his most memorable kick came in a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers in January 2022, when he kicked a 45-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to bring the 49ers to the NFC championship game.
We didn't win it all or even make it to the Super Bowl that season, but, man, that one felt good. I've always had a healthy respect for the Packers and that fierce Bears-Packers rivalry. More than anything But I love Bears fans,” he wrote. “So, hitting a huge kick like that, on the big stage, continuing my streak of never missing a kick in the playoffs and also making all of Chicago happy in the process by eliminating their rival? That was the best of both worlds.”
The Niners used the franchise tag on Gould in 2019, but the 49ers drafted kicker Jake Moody in the third round, giving up their longtime kicker in favor of the rookie.
Before signing with San Francisco, Gould spent 10 seasons with the Bears and one season with the New York Giants. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006. He is the Bears' all-time leading scorer with 1,207 points.
From start to finish, I loved everything about my time in Chicago,” Gould wrote for The Players' Tribune. “…We had a deep playoff run and made a ton of memories. The McCaskey family gave me the opportunity to live my childhood dream and it was an honor to play for them. I hope we made it Bears fans are proud. They deserve it.
Gould added that Chicago “became my home.” It was there that he met his wife and they raised their three children in town.
“My favorite team has been waiting for me at home to join them full-time – no contract necessary. I'm excited to be more present with my family and focus all my attention on what matters to me outside of the game. football. For the longest time, my career naturally filled my schedule and my wife took over the running of the house. My oldest is 10 and I was away from him for nine years. My two youngest boys are eight and five. For most of their lives, Dad hasn't been fully present. So, without interruption, I'm ready for this next stage of life,” he wrote.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner contributed to this report.
