Saints Former LB Announces NFL Retirement

A former New Orleans linebacker officially announces his retirement this past weekend. Here's a closer look at his NFL career.

Former New Orleans Saints LB Manti Te'o has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. Te'o, who has not played since 2020, made the announcement to TMZ over the weekend. 

''I'm playing a different game now. I’m trying to empower people. Trying to inspire people. That’s the game that I’m playing now, and I’m trying to be the best at that.” 

''If my life can be that for people — to show people that, ‘Hey, it may not be sunshine and roses all the time, but if you just keep your head down and keep working and believing in yourself and putting God first, everything will be all right.'' – Manti Te’o to TMZ

The 32-year-old Te'o played eight NFL seasons and compiled 307 tackles (22 for loss), 1.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He played collegiately at Notre Dame, where finished off an outstanding career by finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting to Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel in 2012.

Te'o was a second-round pick (38th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played four years for the Chargers and had 221 tackles, including a team-high and career-best 83 in 2015. A torn Achilles ended his season after just three games in 2016.

The Saints added Te'o as a free agent during the 2017 offseason. He'd play all 16 contests for New Orleans in 2017, starting 10 and finishing fourth on the team with 62 total tackles. A career-high 7 of those stops were for a loss, second on the squad. 

Nov 12, 2017; New Orleans Saints linebacker Manti Te'o (51) against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries limited Te'o to only eight games for New Orleans in 2018 and 2019. In three seasons with the Saints, Te'o had 86 tackles (7 for loss), broke up five passes, and registered three QB pressures. 

Te'o signed with the Chicago Bears in 2020 but remained on the practice squad for the entire season. He was activated for Chicago's 2021 Wild-Card game against the New Orleans Saints and registered four tackles. It turned out to be the last game of his career.