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Former Packers, Browns lineman JC Tretter announces retirement from NFL

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•08/25/22•

NikkiChavanelle

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Former Green Bay Packers fourth-round pick JC Tretter announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday after 10 years in the league. The offensive lineman posted a heartfelt letter on Twitter, which reflects on his journey to the NFL from Cornell and what he plans to do next.

Tretter, who played for the Packers from 2013-17 and for the Cleveland Browns from 2017-21, is the NFLPA president. He shared his intentions to “double down” on his work with the NFLPA.

“My time on the field may be over, but I’m not stepping away from football,” Tretter wrote. “I’m looking forward to doubling down on my work as NFLPA President and pushing for more progress on behalf of the great players of our game, past, present and future.”

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Tretter announces retirement

“In May 2011, I wrote myself a letter,” Tretter shared. “At the time, I was a 250-pound tight end rehabbing from meniscus surgery and deciding what to do with my life. The letter began: ‘Today, May 7th, 2011, 2:35 a.m. you decided that you will become a professional athlete. You will get drafted and you will play in the NFL until you want to stop. I went on to write exactly how I would do that – what it would take to accomplish that goal and what sacrifices would need to be made along the way. I hung the letter up in my college room and have kept it with me ever since.'”

Tretter gained weight to make a switch from tight end to the offensive line while at Cornell. The switch got him noticed by NFL scouts and the Packers drafted him No. 122 overall. He played in 111 games in his career, making 90 starts.

After studying labor relations at Cornell, Tretter had the credentials to lead NFLPA negotiations. He was elected president in 2020 and he was the co-chair of the organization’s COVID committee. In March of 2022, he earned re-election to the president’s job for another two years. The Browns released Tretter from the team in March as well.