Vikings' Phil Loadholt To Retire At 30 Years Old
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt has announced his plans to retire from the NFL, following a meeting with team officials Monday.
Loadholt's decision stemmed from soreness in his Achilles tendon, which needed to be surgically repaired after he tore the tendon in August of 2015, along with other aches and pains.
"I'll always love this game and the opportunity to do something I dreamed about since I was seven years old," Loadholt said. "But, my body is telling me it's time to hang up my cleats."
Before the injury caused him to miss the entire 2015-2016 season, Loadholt was a steady presence for the previous six seasons on the offensive line. He had been a starter since he entered the league as a second-round pick out of Oklahoma and was coming back for the 2015-2016 season after missing the final five games of the previous season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Earlier this year, the Vikings signed Andre Smith, 29, from the Cincinnati Bengals to a one-year deal to compete with Loadholt.
"I first want to thank the Wilf Family for the wonderful opportunity they gave me seven years ago," Loadholt said. "This chapter in my life is closing and I look forward to seeing what the next one brings."
