Former Denver Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers announced on social media Tuesday that he has retired from the NFL.
“THATS ALL FOLKS,” Ayers wrote on his Twitter page Tuesday. “SO THANKFUL… Was a helluva run @NFL but the time has come.. On to the next chapter of life…. #Retired #Blessed.”
Ayers, 33, entered the league with the Broncos as a first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2009. He never quite lived up to his draft status in Denver, totaling just 12 sacks during his five years with the team.
Ayers was a bit of a late bloomer as he recorded 9.5 sacks with the New York Giants in 2015 and 6.5 sacks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016, better numbers than he was ever able to post with the Broncos.
Ayers signed with the Detriot Lions last August but ended up not making their 53-man roster. After sitting out the 2018 season, Ayers decided to hang up his cleats. He ends his career after having totaled 265 sacks and 35 sacks over the course of nine seasons.
