In a letter to SB Nation, lineman Geoff Schwartz announced his retirement from the New York Giants, the celebrated team that attained a spot in the NFL playoffs in week 16 in December. Schwartz, who is 30-years-old, told reporters that everyone, including him, knew that he's "been retired for months," (ESPN.com 2/20/17). Schwartz concluded his brief retirement letter by stating, "Now Y'all know, as well," (ESPN.com 2/20/17). Schwartz's "free agency" status with the Detroit Lions was curtailed abruptly when the team released him before the start of the season.
Schwartz's career in brief
Originally, Schwartz was drafted from the University of Oregon by the Panthers, for which he played for two seasons. Schwartz then headed to the Vikings for one year before moving on to the Chiefs. Schwartz played for the Chiefs for only one season, before signing with the New York Giants, which was considered a "longshot" for the 2017 Super Bowl. As it were, the 2017 Super Bowl, which entailed the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, was ultimately won by the New England Patriots after trailing 28-3 in the third quarter. Quarterback Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fourth time after completing 43 passes on 62 attempts for 466 yards.
Running back James White also broke Super Bowl records with 14 receptions and 20 scored points.
With that Super Bowl victory, the New England Patriots entered into a three-way tie for second place with the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco Giants for all-time Super Bowl wins (four wins each). The Pittsburg Steelers is the number one team of all time for total Super Bowl wins, having scored six such wins altogether thus far.
Schwartz's injuries
Despite Schwartz's promising career and successful mobility within the NFL, his injuries proved to be his Achilles heel. Because of his injured toe and ankle, Schwartz only played two games in 2014. He missed five of the final games of the 2015 season because of yet another flare up of his unrelenting ankle injury.
Terms of Schwartz's release from the Giants
After playing left guard, right guard and right tackle for the Giants, Schwartz finally was released by the New York Giants in 2016. When he was released, Schwartz still had two years remaining on his deal and was still owed $500,000, per his contract.
