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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard, 32 years old, abruptly retired this week. Howard retired as the player with the third-most active interceptions with the NFL at 29, trailing only Harrison Smith’s 37 and Kevin Byard’s 32.
Xavien Howard’s retirement came as a shock to the NFL world as it came in the middle of the season, with Howard calling it quits has the 3-1 Indianapolis Colts head into Week 5.
According to Howard, his decision is fueled by wanting to spend more time with his family.
“When I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to school, doing family activities and watching them grow up. Up to that point I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so. Today I am retiring from the National Football League,” Howard said in a statement on social media.
“My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football. I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I’m putting my family first and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPSN07hjeTU/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7c576dda-3978-49f0-b364-67970a5e5859
Howard’s abrupt retirement, however, came just days after he and his fellow Colts defenders were torched by Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua to the tune of 13 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown, leading fans to draw a connection between the two.
Hilariously enough, one Colts fan actually saw this outcome coming, as they tweeted on the day of the game that Puka is going to “single-handedly retire Xaxien Howard.”
One of the greatest aura moments in human history https://t.co/kofKo5B42u pic.twitter.com/cbtxyej6QG
— Nico (@elitetakes_) October 1, 2025
Puka dropped 170 on his head and he said I’m out pic.twitter.com/5mv1uvYLC1
— Rams Tapes (@RamsTapes) October 1, 2025
The Puka Nacua effect https://t.co/PEAH0NGIIE pic.twitter.com/hGrEAV2ALS
— Underdog (@Underdog) October 1, 2025
One game after trying to defend Puka https://t.co/WS9c3eG84K pic.twitter.com/Ng6g9dTAmT
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) October 1, 2025
Howard was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his time with the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2024 after they drafted him at out Baylor University in the srcond round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The post NFL Fans Speculate That Getting Dominated By Puka Nacua Sent Xavien Howard Into His Abrupt Early Retirement appeared first on BroBible.
