A Washington football legend has decided to retire with the Commanders. Team announcement Former pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan will sign a one-day contract with Washington and call it a career. Kerrigan spent last season with the rival Philadelphia Eagles, but will return to D.C. to retire with the franchise that drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick. 16th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
“Sometimes I think about the life I’ve been able to live because of football, and I can’t believe it’s what I was chosen to live,” Kerrigan said. said in a statement. “No matter how long I played and no matter how focused I was on the task at hand, I’m thankful that I never saw that in the NFL. How cool is it to be an athlete. It was just as cool (as) to get there in my jersey. And to have the success that I was able to achieve? Something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. To say I’m grateful would be an understatement.”
The Purdue product spent 10 seasons with Washington and was named to four Pro Bowls. Kerrigan became the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks in his final season in 2020, leaving Washington with 95.5 quarterback takedowns. He also recorded double-digit sacks in four seasons, and was a model of consistency, playing in every game for his first eight NFL seasons.
Kerrigan played in 156 career games for Washington, and recorded 454 combined tackles, 95.5 sacks, 26 forced fumbles and three interceptions — all returned for touchdowns.
