Every so often, a retired NFL player announces his retirement before deciding to suit up again. Here’s a list of the top 17 players who have hung up their pads only to return to the gridiron.
Marshawn Lynch
Marshawn Lynch makes a habit of retiring and returning. The running back left football after the 2015 season. He missed 2016 and returned in 2017 as a Raider. He also came back to Seattle at the end of last season.
Gary Anderson
Longtime NFL kicker Gary Anderson announced his retirement in 2002. But when the Titans called in September 2003, he answered the phone. Anderson ended up playing two more seasons, both with Tennessee. He finally called it quits after the ’04 season. He was 45.
Cris Carter
Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter retired after the 2001 season, but returned when the Dolphins signed him in October 2002. He played five games for Miami and caught only eight passes, but proved that he could still play even at age 37.
Rolando McClain
On May 15 2012, McClain announced his retirement at the age of 23, having never played a down for the Ravens. On July 1, 2014, after linebacker Sean Lee was lost for the season, the Dallas Cowboys acquired McClain along with a seventh-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Deion Sanders
After taking three seasons off, Deion Sanders returned to the field in 2004 and didn’t have much rust to shake off. Over two seasons with the Ravens, the best cornerback ever picked off five passes. He retired for good after the 2005 season when he was 38.
Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams actually missed two seasons of his prime. He retired after the 2003 season and after returning for the 2005 season, got suspended and missed all of 2006. Still, the running back returned in 2007 and went on to play five more seasons. In 2009, Williams rushed for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Bronco Nagurski
From 1930 to 1937, two-way star, a bruising running back and fearsome defensive tackle, led Chicago to two championships. After taking five seasons off, he returned to the Bears. During the 1943 NFL title game, Nagurski scored a touchdown. Chicago won 41-21 and Nagurski retired on top.
Brett Favre
Brett Favre announced his retirement in the winter of 2008, but the arrangement didn’t last long. That summer, the Jets traded for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Favre spent a season with New York and then played two more for the Vikings, who he led to the ’09 NFC title game.
Randall Cunningham
After missing the 1996 season, ex-Eagle Randall Cunningham signed with Minnesota in 1997. A year later, he quarterbacked one of the best offenses in NFL history. The first-team All-Pro QB led the ’98 Vikings to a 15-1 record and a trip to the NFC title game.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones
In 1979, Ed “Too Tall” Jones left the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line to try and make it as a heavyweight boxer. He fought six times before deciding to return to Dallas in 1980.
James Harrison
James Harrison announced his retirement on August 30, 2014 and officially retired as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 5, 2014.[ Harrison officially re-signed with the Steelers on September 23, 2014. On Dec. 23, 2017, Harrison was released by the Steelers after only playing in five games and being a healthy scratch for most of the season. On Dec. 26, 2017, Harrison signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots. In his debut, Harrison registered two sacks, a forced fumble, and five total tackles against the New York Jets. On April 16, 2018, Harrison retired again from the NFL after 15 seasons, saying in an Instagram post, “I’ve missed way too much for way too long…I’m done”.
Randy Moss
After playing 13 years in the NFL, Randy Moss retired in 2010. He came back in 2012 and joined the San Francisco 49ers.
Jason Witten
Jason Witten retired to take a spot in the Monday Night Football booth for the 2018 season. After a terrible run, he returned to the field for 2019 with the Cowboys. Witten signed as a free agent with the Raiders this off-season
Otto Graham
Otto Graham announced his retirement after leading the Browns to an NFL title in 1954, but ended up returning in 1955. The star quarterback made the most of his swan song. In ’55, Graham made the Pro Bowl and led Cleveland to its second straight championship
John Riggins
After sitting out the 1980 season, John Riggins came back with a vengeance. The burly running back played five more years, leading Washington to a victory in Super Bowl XVII. In 1983, at age 34, he rushed for 1,347 yards and a then-NFL record 24 touchdowns.
Reggie White
In 1998, Green Bay Packers defensive end Reggie White retired. He came out of retirement in 2000 and joined the Carolina Panthers.
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski left on top of his game as a Super Bowl champion following the 2018 season. He sat out 2019 and will return to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay for the 2020 campaign.
