Former running back Kenyan Drake is retiring from the NFL, he announced on social media Friday afternoon.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” he said. wrote on Instagram“It’s hard to believe eight seasons have gone by. This journey has been amazing – the victories, the big and small moments, the camaraderie, the energy, everything about it. […] I’m ready to enjoy a little retirement and see where the next chapter takes me. I’m grateful to everyone who has been on this journey with me. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Drake, 30, was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Alabama Dolphins and has totaled 3,866 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns in eight seasons in the league.
He spent four years with the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa under coach Nick Saban, winning national championships in 2012 and 2015.
Drake spent his first three-plus seasons in the NFL with Miami, most famously scoring the game-winning touchdown in the “Miami Miracle” against the Patriots in 2018, before being dealt to the Cardinals at the 2019 trade deadline and enjoying arguably the best period of his career.
In eight games with Arizona in 2019, Drake had eight touchdowns and 643 yards.
A year later, Drake had the best year of his career with the Cardinals, reaching the end zone 10 times and gaining 955 yards on the ground.
He used that season to sign a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Raiders, but Las Vegas is set to waive him in August 2022 after just one season in Sin City.
Drake would play the 2022 season with the Ravens, then play for the Colts, Browns, Packers and a second time with Baltimore in 2023.
“It just felt like the right time,” Drake said. NFL source Josina Anderson said:.
“I love the game, but I don’t love the business. I’m comfortable with this decision. I’m healthy and ready to start the next chapter in my life.”
