Total Pro Sports
Former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead has opened up on his decision to walk away from football and the worrying reason behind it.
The five-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement on April 5 after a 12-year career in the NFL, citing health concerns, which he expounded on during an episode of ‘Nightcap’ with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
Armstead’s retirement comes as a huge blow to the Dolphins, given quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s history with concussions. But it doesn’t appear that the player had much of a choice.
“My injury history is extensive, and that’s really the part for me, is my body. I love this game. Mentally, cerebrally, I can play the game forever. But it’s just physically, my body is slowing down, its movements and abilities that I just can’t perform at the same level.”
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Recently retired #Dolphins OT Terran Armstead opened up about his decision to retire, saying he couldn’t play without pain medication, he told @NightcapShow_
“I didn’t see a practice field at all, not because I didn’t want to, but because I literally couldn’t… pic.twitter.com/dgRTYTtJk2
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) June 9, 2025
The 33-year-old also revealed he never even practiced while with the Dolphins, as he was unable to walk on his own after games and needed several days of rest just to be able to walk without support every week, having dealt with a knee injury for the past nine seasons.
“I didn’t see a practice field at all, not because I didn’t want to, but because I literally couldn’t walk,” he explained. “After a game on Sunday, I wouldn’t be able to walk under my own power until Wednesday or Thursday. I was only able to play under the pain meds.”
A third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Armstead established himself as an important player on the New Orleans Saints’ offensive line and developed into one of the most formidable tackles in the league. He earned himself a second-team All-Pro selection with New Orleans, going to the Pro Bowl on three occasions.
Sadly, he only made 10 or more appearances twice in his last six seasons with the team.
He played just eight games in 2021, but the Dolphins would still offer him a five-year, $75 million deal, taking a risk on a player who ended up going to the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons in Miami.
Armstead played 15 games last season, but his production dipped.
Another season would have seen him complete his contract with the Dolphins, but the Pro Bowler chose to walk away to avoid putting his body through the rigors of another season in the NFL.
“I can’t keep doing that to myself,” he admitted.
