Former Green Bay Packers draft pick Ty Montgomery announces retirement from National Football League blog post on his website on Friday.
In his retirement post, Montgomery thanked the Packers, general manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy, the city of Green Bay and the Packers fans.
“To the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Packers fans who will always have a special place in my heart, GO PACK GO!”
Montgomery, a third-round draft pick by Thompson and the Packers in 2015, has played in 92 regular-season games and five playoff games over 10 seasons.
After entering the NFL as a wide receiver, Montgomery revitalized his career by moving to the running back position in need for McCarthy during the 2016 season. His breakout game came in December 2016, when he rushed for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a key win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Montgomery, now 31, is a free agent who has also played for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets.
Over 36 games with the Packers, Montgomery ran 177 times for 849 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 97 passes for 827 yards and three touchdowns. During the 2016 postseason, Montgomery ran 25 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns and caught 10 passes.
Montgomery finished his NFL career with 410 touches for 2,346 yards and 11 touchdowns on 1,756 offensive snaps. He also returned 67 kickoffs for 1,521 yards and was on the field for 906 special action snaps.
At Stanford University, Montgomery was a unanimous All-American selection in 2013 and was a top-12 All-Pac draft pick in 2013 and 2014.
Montgomery, who played for the Patriots last season, said his next path after his football career will be education and financial literacy.
From Montgomery:
I will miss so many things about the game. Playing the game, everything it has brought me, especially being in the locker room, the schedule and the routine, have been invaluable additions to the structure and form of my life. The schedule leaves no room for life without purpose. I love that part. From practice to goals, discipline, respect, honor and love, it builds your character alongside your teammates. And I have to be straightforward, it’s good to be known as an NFL athlete and an American football player. It’s good to be known for doing something great at an elite level. That will leave a gap.
Although the absence of football will leave a gap, I don’t know if it needs to be filled. I think of an senior tree and the rings around it, showing what it’s been through, and to me football is another ring.
Being able to end it all on my own terms and with my health has helped me accept retirement instead of holding on to it for too long. I have been fortunate to play this game for a long time and that has helped me be excited about what might be next. The Lord is giving me an understanding of my purpose and confidence outside of football and I am excited to explore that.
Montgomery was the third of eight selections from the Packers’ 2015 draft class. He was the last energetic player remaining with the team as of 2023 and is coming off of a class that leads the NFL in games played with eight players.
