Kansas football legend Aqib Talib officially retires after 12 seasons

Kansas football legend and NFL Pro Bowler Aqib Talib has called it quits, ending his pro career with a number of prestigious accolades.

During Aqib Talib’s All-American career with the Kansas Jayhawks, it was easy to see that he would go on to do big things in the NFL. After five Pro Bowl appearances, two all-pro selections, and a Super Bowl win, Talib has decided to retire from professional football. Most Kansas football fans will remember his incredible season in 2007 though, the year the Jayhawks won the Orange Bowl.

In 2007, Talib totaled five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. After helping lead the Jayhawks to an Orange Bowl victory, Talib was named the MVP of the game. He was a member of the All-Big 12 First Team and also selected as an All-American as a defensive back, though Talib also contributed on the offensive side of the ball. He pulled in eight receptions and scored four touchdowns during the 2007 season as a receiver. Talib still has the second-most career interceptions at Kansas with 13 total.

Talib declared for the NFL Draft after his junior season and was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 20 overall pick. Talib would go on to appear in five Pro Bowls in a row from 2013-2017 while being named first-team All-Pro in 2016 and second-team All-Pro in 2013. Talib won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in Super Bowl 50 and was a key member of the Broncos’ historically great defense that season.

When Talib announced his retirement yesterday, he knew that it was the right thing to do despite having a chance to join Bill Belichick and the Patriots:

"“Let alone, you get 34 (years old), you lose a step, you ain’t moving the same way you used to move. So I just wasn’t feeling it no more, honestly, man. You’ve gotta play this game with heart, Harrison. You’ve gotta play this game with heart. If you don’t play it with heart, that’s how you get real injuries — concussions and bad injuries, when you’re out here playing nervous and things like that.” (via 247Sports)"

Talib is already a member of the Kansas football Ring of Honor, and he could wind up in Canton sooner or later. He certainly had an impressive career, and he’s easily one of the best corners of the 2010s.