On Thursday night, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Anthony Zettel announced his retirement from the NFL.
Zettel had a fantastic career at Penn State, registering 119 total tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and four interceptions. Once his career with the Nittany Lions came to an end, Zettel was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Though he has bounced around the NFL over the past few years, Zettel has always been considered a well-respected veteran. That’s one of the reasons why the 49ers signed him in late July with the hope that he could potentially fight for a spot on the 53-man roster this year. However, Zettel ultimately feels like his passion for the game isn’t what it once was.
“I believe passion and energy is an essential part of being a leader and elite athlete. I have always said that when you lose those components, it is time to find something different that motivates and inspires you,” Zettel wrote on Instagram. “Today I share bittersweet news that after much deliberation and reflection, I have decided to walk away from the sport that has given me so much over the years.”
Zettel also addressed the next chapter of his career in his retirement letter.
“I’m not sure what is next for me, but I know that whatever that is, I will always give 100%. I am looking forward to this next chapter of my life!”
The 49ers quickly found a replacement for Zettel on the 90-man roster, signing defensive lineman Davin Bellamy to a one-year deal this Friday.
As for Zettel, he’s receiving a ton of love and support on social media right now. It’s safe to say he built a handful of great relationships along the way.
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