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Hero of Miami Miracle, Kenyan Drake, Announces Retirement After Eight Seasons

Kenyon Drake's biggest plays were the Miami Miracle against New England and as a rookie with a kickoff return for a touchdown against the New York Jets in 2018.

Scott Salomon

Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) makes a catch during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
Jan 8, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake (17) makes a catch during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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NFL free agent running back Kenyan Drake has announced his retirement on social media. Drake played eight seasons for six teams, including the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

Drake will forever be iconic in Miami for scoring the game-winning touchdown against the New England Patriots in 2018. The double lateral play is known as "The Miami Miracle."

He also scored on a kickoff return in week nine of his rookie season against the New York Jets to help Miami secure the victory.

Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson, host of TheCrew, confirmed his retirement after texting with the big back.

"I am at peace with the decision. It felt like the right time," Drake said to Anderson via text. "I love the game, but I don't love the business. I'm at peace with the decision. I'm healthy and ready to start the next chapter of my life."

In addition to playing in Miami, Drake played for the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers.

Miami traded him to Arizona before the 2019 deadline for a conditional sixth-round pick that could have become a fifth-round pick.

Drake had finished the final season of a four-year $3.5 million contract in 2019. The Cardinals tagged him in 2020.

In 2020, he had his best statistical year as a professional, with 955 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. Drake finishes his career with 3,866 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. He also caught 218 passes for an additional 1,655 yards and eight touchdowns.

The following season, as an unrestricted free agent, he signed with the Raiders for $11 million guaranteed. However, he was cut before the 2022 season. He then went to Baltimore, where he finished the season.

While in college, playing for Nick Saban, he was a part of two national championship teams. In his final collegiate game, Drake returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown against Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.

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Scott Salomon

SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services.

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