Leading NFL star who claimed to be best RB when healthy abruptly retires in shock announcement aged just 28
NFL star Rashaad Penny has announced his shock retirement from football.
The former Seattle Seahawks running back called time on his career on Tuesday after six seasons.
Penny signed for the Carolina Panthers earlier this summer after a disappointing year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 28-year-old has been beset by injury issues over recent years, appearing in just 18 games since 2021.
"Rashaad Penny has decided to retire," Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed on Tuesday, via the NY Post.
"He felt like he wasn’t himself. And I wish Rashaad the best."
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The move comes just days after Penny declared himself "a top running back in the league" - but only when healthy.
"I’ve always believed in myself, knowing my capabilities,” Penny told the Charlotte Observer in an article published Friday.
"I think everybody else knows that when I’m healthy, I’m probably, like, a top running back in the league.
"I know my place. I know what I can do. So I just keep striving from there."
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"Poor guy could never catch a break," declared one fan on X.
"At least the best running back in the league went out on top!!" added another.
"Dude went off when healthy, he was just never healthy," declared a third.
"Retirement is better than playing for the Panthers," joked a fourth.
Drafted as the No. 27 pick in 2018. Penny entered the NFL after four seasons with the San Diego State Aztecs.
In his senior college year, he put up a remarkable 2,248 yards on 289 rushing attempts, along with 23 touchdowns.
He signed with the Seahawks, penning a four-year deal worth $10.7 million.
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Penny played 14 games in his rookie season, which would turn out to be a career-high.
In 2021 he showed signs of a potential breakout after running for 749 yards and six touchdowns on 119 carries in 10 games.
But he broke his fibula in 2022, with Seattle declining his fifth-year option.
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Across his NFL career, Penny earned $17,245,437, per Spotrac.
He retires with 348 total career carries, going for 1951 yards and 13 touchdowns.