PITTSBURGH — A little more than a week after Steelers captain Cam Heyward expressed optimism that his longtime teammate would return to Pittsburgh in 2022, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt announced his retirement from football Wednesday.
Tuitt, who did not play last season following the sudden death of his brother Richard Barlett, broke the news himself via a statement from the organization.
“After the tragic loss of my brother Richard, and upon completing my degree from the University of Notre Dame, I know I am being called to move beyond the sport of football,” Tuitt said, per the team. “I want to thank everyone for the love and support they have shown both on and off the field, and again want to thank The Rooney Family, Coach [Mike] Tomlin and the entire Pittsburgh organization. It was an honor and a privilege to play for this historic team. Go Steelers.”
Heyward isn’t the only one who seemed to think that Tuitt was coming back for his ninth season after sitting out Year 8. Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu also told reporters last week that he had been in communication with Tuitt recently and felt that the 2014 second-rounder was “in a good place.” As of last Monday, Tuitt’s 29th birthday, he was living with his family at their home in the Indianapolis area and “working,” according to Alualu.
The 6-foot-6, 302-pound Tuitt dealt with a spate of injuries throughout his career and is “blessed to leave this game with my health,” per the release from the team. But after his 2019 campaign was cut short in Week 6 with a torn pectoral muscle, Tuitt roared back to have his best season in 2020, racking up double-digit sacks and tackles for loss for the first time with 11 and 10, respectively, while missing only one game.
But his best will be his last, and new Steelers general manager Omar Khan thanked Tuitt for his contributions in a statement Wednesday.
“His success both on and off the field speaks volumes for who he is as a person and a player,” said Khan, who will save $9 million on the salary cap with this departure but also is still on the hook for nearly $5 million of Tuitt’s contract this year and $4.75 million next year, according to overthecap.com. “Stephon has always handled himself with class and maturity as he continues to be a great husband, father, son and family man in his personal life.”
Tuitt and his wife Brittany have three children, sons Payne and Solomon and daughter Gwendolyn.
