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Ali Marpet stunned many with his retirement announcement on Sunday, February 27, but members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed nothing but support.
Marpet announced his retirement on Instagram, and a flood of Bucs commented on his announcement.
“After seven formidable years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’ve come to the decision to retire from the game that has given me so much,” Marpet wrote. “This organization and the people surrounding it have helped not only fulfill a dream, but also helped build me into the person I am today. I’ve made Tampa Bay my home and I look forward to serving this community in the coming years.”
“To the coaches and teammates, family and friends, an Instagram post simply can’t express the profound impact you’ve had on me. I’m eternally grateful,” Marpet added. “Thank you Tampa Bay.”
Retired Bucs quarterback Tom Brady, who enjoyed Marpet’s blocking for two seasons, honored the 28-year-old blocker. Brady threw for 9,949 yards and 83 touchdowns in two seasons behind Marpet and company.
Brady called Marpet “a warrior” and said “it was an honor” to play with him.
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Bucs running back Leonard Fournette reminisced a little with Marpet. Fournette benefitted from Marpet and company’s run blocking with 1,179 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns in two years.
“Going to miss our talks at the locker about family investments,” Fournette wrote.
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Other Bucs players honoring Marpet included Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, and Carlton Davis III.
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The Bucs drafted Marpet in 2015 in the second round with the 61st pick from Hobart, which made him the highest player ever drafted from a Division III program.
Bruce Arians, Jason Licht Celebrate Marpet’s Career
Bucs head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Jason Licht had high praise for Marpet’s contributions on and off the field in Tampa for seven years. Licht drafted Marpet, and Arians coached the guard for three seasons.
“I want to thank Ali for all that he has done as a valued member of the Buccaneers organization over the past seven seasons,” Licht said in a statement from the team. “He has played a key role in our success both on and off the field and we will certainly miss his leadership and professionalism.”
“It has been one of my greatest professional thrills to see his rapid ascension from a small college standout into one the NFL’s best all around offensive linemen,” Licht added. “As the highest Division III player ever drafted, Ali always seemed destined for greatness on the NFL level and we simply could not have attained the success of the past two seasons without him.”
The Bucs ranked fifth among offensive lines in the Pro Football Focus ratings during the 2020 Super Bowl run with Marpet. He helped the 2021 offensive line improve to a No. 2 ranking per Pro Football Focus.
“Off the field, as a founding member of our social justice player advisory board, Ali provided the vision and passion that was crucial to that program’s launch and ongoing work,” Licht said in the statement. “We wish him the best and are confident he will enjoy similar success off the football field in whatever the future holds.”
Arians: Marpet ‘Has Been a Rock for Us’
Arians called Marpet “a rock” for Bucs blockers.
“I can’t say enough about what Ali has meant to our team over the three seasons since my arrival,” Arians said in his statement. “He has been the consummate professional and has been a rock for us in the interior of our offensive line. We will miss him on the field and in the locker room, but I am happy that he gets to go out as a Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler.”
“It is never easy saying goodbye to a player who has meant so much to our success, but I support and respect his decision and wish him a great life after football,” Arians added.