Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons on Monday.

Slay shared the news on his Instagram page, posting career highlights along with a caption addressed to the game of football. "Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me," he wrote. "I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful."^[1]

Slay, from Brunswick, Georgia, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State University.^[2][3][4]

Over seven seasons with the Lions from 2013 to 2019, Slay emerged as one of the league's elite cornerbacks. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019, led the NFL with eight interceptions in 2017 and topped the league in passes defended that year with 20.^[2][3][5]

On March 16, 2020, the Lions traded Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2020 third-round draft pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick.^[6]

Slay added Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2022 with Philadelphia, bringing his career total to six. Through the 2023 season, he had amassed 25 interceptions and 161 passes defended over 158 games.^[2][3]

Known as "Big Play Slay" for his clutch performances, Slay concluded his career with the Eagles, where he had started every season since arriving.^[3][4]

"It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just a kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams…," Slay added in his post.^[1]

Sources

1. Instagram, Darius Slay (@bigplayslay23) profile and posts, accessed November 2024, https://www.instagram.com/bigplayslay23/
2. Sports Reference LLC / Pro-Football-Reference.com, "Darius Slay Stats," accessed November 2024, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SlayDa00.htm
3. NFL.com, "Darius Slay," accessed November 2024, https://www.nfl.com/players/darius-slay/
4. Philadelphia Eagles, "Darius Slay," accessed November 2024, https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/players-roster/darius-slay/
5. NFL.com, "2017 NFL Passing," accessed November 2024, https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/defense/2017/reg/all/passing/defense/interceptions/desc
6. NFL.com, "Lions trading CB Darius Slay to Eagles for third-round pick," March 16, 2020, https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-trading-cb-darius-slay-to-eagles-for-third-round-pick-0ap3000001115753