Darius Slay Retires After 13 NFL Seasons

Veteran NFL cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement on Monday after 13 seasons in the league, closing the book on a career marked by six Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory.

Slay, who turned 35 in January, shared the news via a post on Instagram, accompanied by a highlight video of his career moments. In an emotional message, he reflected on the sport's profound impact. "Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you've done for me," Slay wrote. "I've been blessed to play the game I loved since I was five years old for an amazing 13 years at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I'm forever grateful. It's hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I'm ready to turn the page and start my new journey."

A second-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay quickly established himself as a shutdown defender. He spent his first seven seasons with Detroit, starting 94 games and earning three Pro Bowl nods from 2017 to 2019. That period included a standout 2017 campaign, when he led the NFL with eight interceptions and 26...