Former Notre Dame, current Pittsburgh Steelers DL Stephon Tuitt retires from football
After an eight-year NFL career, former Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt will retire from football.
“With respect to the Steelers organization, my teammates and coaches, I would like to officially announce that I have come to the decision to retire from the NFL,” Tuitt said in a statement, per the Steelers. “I am thankful to have had the opportunity to represent the city of Pittsburgh for the last eight years and am blessed to leave this game with my health.
“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. 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 Tomlin and the entire Pittsburgh organization.
“It was an honor and a privilege to play for this historic team. Go Steelers.”
Tuitt’s brother was killed in a hit-and-run in June 2021, and he spent the offseason away from the team while grieving. He suffered an injury in fall camp and never got back onto the field last fall.
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Over his eight-year professional career, the 29-year-old played in 91 games for Pittsburgh, starting in 79. He recorded 246 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 94 quarterback hits, 34.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.
“Tuitt was one of the most impactful interior defensive linemen in the NFL the past few years, and one of the more irreplaceable players on the Pittsburgh roster,” CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora wrote in December. “His ability to stuff the run and also collapse the pocket presented unique challenges to opposing linemen, and his absence has been one of the critical issues face a sagging Steelers defense in 2021.”
Tuitt was a five-star recruit out of Georgia when he arrived at Notre Dame in 2011, ranked No. 30 nationally by On3 Consensus. Over three years in South Bend, the 6-6, 312-pound defenseman recorded 126 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks. He forced four fumbles and even picked off a pass in 2013.
The menacing pass rusher was a part of the 2012 Notre Dame defense that led the Irish to the BCS Championship Game. He was named a second-team AP All-American that season.
Tuitt was ultimately drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
