Long-time veteran safety and former member of the New York Giants, Antoine Bethea, officially announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday morning.
In a Twitter post announcing that he’s stepping away from the game, Bethea thanked multiple franchises and executives from across the league, including Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
It was a great ride!✊🏾 #BetonYourself pic.twitter.com/9QVo8JA3tw
— Antoine Bethea (AB41) (@ABethea41) January 7, 2021
“Finally, to Mara and Tisch family and the New York Giants, thank you,” Behtea said. “Once a Giant, always a Giant.”
A sixth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 NFL Draft, Bethea spent 14 years in the NFL and played for four different franchises (Arizona and San Francisco the others). He was named to three Pro Bowls and was a part of the Super Bowl-winning Colts in 2006-2007.
In 209 career games (200 starts), Bethea recorded 1,333 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 26 QB hits, nine forced fumbles, 85 passes defenses, 25 interceptions and one touchdown.
After signing with the Giants in 2019, Bethea’s teammates voted him a defensive captain. He started all 16 games that season, recording 110 tackles, six passes defensed and one interception.
It was a remarkable career for Bethea and as he says… Once a Giant, always a Giant.
