Football

Andrew Hawkins Grateful To God After Announcing His NFL Retirement

By Jason Romano Jul 25, 2017
Andrew Hawkins at training camp with the Cleveland Browns in 2016. (Photo Courtesy: Erik Drost (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

New England Wide Receiver Andrew Hawkins announced his retirement from the NFL today on Uninterrupted.

The 31 year-old signed a one-year deal with Super Bowl Champion Patriots on May 24 but two months later, after realizing his body wasn’t responding the way he had hoped, his professional football career comes to an end.

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“I thank God for where I’m at in my career in my life,” said Hawkins. “I thank my family for all the support. I thank my friends, my teammates who are like brothers to me. My coaches, front office, owners, anybody who has helped give me opportunities to play this incredible game, I’m appreciative.”

Hawkins played 6 seasons in the NFL with the Bengals and Browns from 2011-2016. He led the Browns with 63 receptions and 824 receiving yards in his first season with Cleveland in 2014 and finished his career in 2016 with 33 receptions and 3 touchdowns.

Andrew says he’s a little unsettled about the future but also excited at the same time.

“I’m anxious, a little nervous,” said Hawkins. “I got some business opportunities to continue in sports, maybe on the business side. I’m trying to hit the ground running, but nonetheless, nervous.”

Hawkins was undrafted in 2008 after playing college football at Toledo. He played in the CFL for a few seasons, winning two Grey Cup championships before making his NFL debut with the Bengals in 2011.