Veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday.
The 11-year pro with four franchises posted a message on Instagram saying ”after 27 years of playing football [url=http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/...p-mike-hughes-jersey]Mike Hughes Color Rush Jersey[/url] , today I say farewell.”
An All-Pro with San Diego in 2007, when he led the league with 10 interceptions, Cromartie was one of the NFL’s best cover cornerbacks for much of his career, making four Pro Bowls. He also scored the longest touchdown in league history, returning a missed field goal by Minnesota for a 109-yard score in 2007.
Cromartie, 33, spent his first four seasons with the Chargers, making the playoffs each year. He then joined the Jets and made the AFC championship game with them in 2010, his first of four straight seasons as a starter in Rex Ryan’s defense.
He spent 2014 with Arizona, returned to the Jets in 2015, and finished his career in 2016 with Indianapolis.
Cromartie’s ball skills, size (6-foot-2 [url=http://www.authenticsneworleanssaints.com/...cus-davenport-jersey]Marcus Davenport Color Rush Jersey[/url] , 210 pounds) and speed made him a desirable commodity even though he was an inconsistent tackler and often gambled in coverage. The Chargers selected him 19th overall in the 2006 draft.
”To The San Diego Chargers and the Spanos Family, thank you for believing in me,” Cromartie wrote. ”Thank you for taking a chance on a young kid from Tallahassee, Florida who did not play much in college. You believed in my ability and my potential to play at a professional level, and I will forever be grateful.”
With the Jets in 2010, he combined with Darrelle Revis to form one of football’s best cornerback tandems.
”I grew as a player, a man, and as a leader,” he wrote of his time in New York. ”The brotherhood I built here was undeniable. My heart will forever embrace the feeling of running through the tunnel and out onto the field with my brothers. My family and I will forever Bleed Green.”
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June 13-14 – Owners’ meetings, New York.
June 15 – International amateur signing period closes.
July 2 – International amateur signing period opens.
July 6 – Last day to sign for amateur draft picks subject to deadline.
July 17 – All-Star Game, Washington.
July 29 – Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown [url=http://www.authenticsnewyorkgiants.com/...aquon-barkley-jersey]Saquon Barkley Color Rush Jersey[/url] , N.Y.
July 31 – Last day to trade a player without securing waivers.
Aug. 31 – Last day to be contracted to an organization and be eligible for postseason roster.
Oct. 2-3 – Wild-card games.
November TBA – Deadline for teams to make qualifying offers to their eligible former players who became free agents, fifth day after World Series.
November TBA – Deadline for free agents to accept qualifying offers, 15th day after World Series.
Nov. 6-8 – General managers’ meetings, Carlsbad, Calif.
Nov. 8-15 – All-Star tour of Japan.
Nov. 30 – Last day for teams to offer 2019 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters.
Dec. 9 – Hall of Fame Today’s Game committee vote announced, Las Vegas.
Dec. 10-13 – Winter meetings, Las Vegas.
2019(equals)
Jan. 11 – Salary arbitration figures exchanged.
Feb. 1-20 – Salary arbitration hearings, St. Petersburg, Fla.
March 20-21 – Opening series, Seattle vs. Oakland at Tokyo.
June 29-30 – New York Yankees vs. Boston at London.
