Gator Great Joe Haden retiring after 12-year NFL career

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi09/21/22

ZachAbolverdi

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Former Florida cornerback and Gator Great Joe Haden is calling it a career following a dozen seasons in the NFL. He will reportedly sign a one-day contract with the Cleveland Browns to retire with the team that selected No. 7 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Haden, 33, spent seven years in Cleveland, earning Pro Bowl honors twice (2013-14) and tallying at least three interceptions in a season five times.

He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers the last five years, making his third trip to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and finishing with 66 starts and 10 interceptions.

Haden missed five games last season with a foot injury and did not record an interception. During his 12-year NFL career, he started 148 games and totaled 615 tackles, 29 interceptions and 2 touchdowns.

Haden starred in his three seasons at Florida, becoming the first true freshman cornerback to start on opening day in school history in 2007. He won the national championship with the Gators in 2008 and was a unanimous first-team All-American as a junior.

Haden finished his UF career with 218 total tackles, 157 solo, 34 pass breakups, eight interceptions and 3.5 sacks, forgoing his senior year to turn pro.

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