Super Bowl Champion Safety, Ex-Chiefs Rival Retires at 32

Darian Stewart Broncos Chiefs

Getty Images Former Broncos safety Darian Stewart called it a career on Thursday.

This week, a Kansas City Chiefs’ AFC West rival took a moment to honor one of its standout players, Darian Stewart, who retired as a member of the Denver Broncos on Thursday.

The team made the announcement official on a Zoom press conference shortly after the 10-year veteran safety posted the news to his Instagram account.

“Today I’m officially announcing my retirement,” Stewart told reporters. “I’m happy. I’m ready. This was the perfect time with COVID going on. I’m ready for the next journey.”

The 32-year-old was a member of the Broncos’ esteemed secondary group between 2015-18, dubbed the “No-Fly Zone,” which included fellow Pro Bowlers Chris Harris Jr., T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib, the latter two of which made appearances on the retirement Zoom call.

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Chiefs Dominated Matchups vs. Stewart

Stewart originally entered the league in 2010 as an undrafted free agent with the then-St. Louis Rams, where he spent his first four professional seasons. After a brief one-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, the 5-foot-11-inch, 214-pounder was on to Denver where he had four of his most productive years and was a key contributor to the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

In eight career contests versus the Chiefs, Stewart and company came out on the losing end seven times, however the hard-hitting defensive back still posted 25 total tackles, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery in those matchups.

The second of his two interceptions against Kansas City came during Patrick Mahomes‘ first career start in Week 17 of the 2017 season. Stewart read the then-rookie quarterback’s eyes and picked off a pass intended for De’Anthony Thomas.

Of his playing style, Stewart was never one to shy away from making a statement on the field.

“I always wanted them to feel me, anytime I came into a tackle,” Stewart responded to ex-teammate Talib when asked about his approach to the game. “So, I always tried to go for the big hit. You don’t always get that, but for me, it was just not to even think twice.”


Stewart to Return to Football at a Later Date?

Stewart last played in a reserve role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, marking the conclusion of an impressive decade-long playing career remembered by 463 combined tackles, 46 deflections, 11 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and many memorable big hits over 143 games.

As ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe wrote, Stewart’s future plans involve “more time with his family and working with his Stewart Standouts non-profit foundation, but eventually he hopes his next step will be working with the South Carolina football team to help student athlete development on and off the field.”

For now Chiefs Kingdom, players and fans around the league bid adieu to one of the game’s respected playmakers and success stories.

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  • Chris Licata is an NFL contributor covering the Kansas City Chiefs from enemy territory in Denver, CO. Follow him on Twitter @Chris__Licata or join our Heavy on Chiefs Facebook community for the latest news out of Chiefs Kingdom!