Alabama football legend, 5-time Pro Bowl linebacker retiring from NFL after 11 years
Alabama football legend, 5-time Pro Bowl linebacker retiring from NFL after 11 years
C.J. Mosley was a special player from the moment he first stepped onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in September 2010.
A 4-star recruit from Theodore High School who was named a Parade All-American, Mosley's four-year playing career in Tuscaloosa from 2010-13 would include such accolades as being a two-time All-American, the 2013 Butkus Award winner, and a member of two national championship teams.
Mosley was a first-round pick (No. 17 overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2014 NFL Draft. On Thursday, the day of his 33rd birthday, Mosley announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons -- the last six of which were spent with the New York Jets.
Mosley said in a post to Instagram:
"Once upon a time, a kid from Mobile, Alabama, had a dream to do great things on the football field. I followed you my whole life not knowing where you would take me. To envision myself as a Ray Lewis or a Brian Urlacher was just the first steps of this 11-year journey. You opened doors that I once only dreamed of. You gave me passion. You gave me strength, self-endurance, pain and, most importantly, being able to trust and lead men. Today, it is time to wake up from my childhood dream and share with the next generation. I spent my whole life and career building my legacy. Now it's time to start a new chapter with new dreams. It won't be easy. I'm here to tell you, every sacrifice is worth it. When you wake up, what will your legacy look like?"
Injuries limited to Mosley to four games in 2024. Before that, he was a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season with the Ravens in 2014, which also included runner-up AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors behind Aaron Donald of the Rams. Mosley garnered three straight Pro Bowl selections from 2016-18 and was a Pro Bowl selection again in 2022.
For his 10-year NFL playing career, Mosley will finish with 1,083 tackles, 55 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 40 quarterback hits, 10 forced fumbles and 53 pass breakups in 133 games.
C.J. Mosley's Alabama career stats, highlights
In his four seasons at Alabama, Mosley played in 51 games for the Crimson Tide and had 317 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and 17 pass breakups from 2010-13.
One of those interceptions was a pick of LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson during the third quarter of Alabama's 21-0 shutout victory over the Tigers in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Mosley had a 16-yard pick-six touchdown against Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson in Alabama's 41-14 win in the 2012 season opener in Arlington, Texas. In his 2010 freshman season, Mosley had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown against Florida quarterback John Brantley's in the Crimson Tide's 31-6 win over the Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Mosley was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the same season he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.
Alabama's combined win-loss record in Mosley's four seasons was 46-7.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinion.
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