Ten-Year Veteran WR Lance Moore Retires Three Days After Signing With Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Monday that veteran wide receiver Lance Moore is retiring from the NFL after ten years, and just three days after he signed with the team.

Ten-Year Veteran WR Lance Moore Retires Three Days After Signing With Falcons

Moore, who will turn 33 on Aug. 31, had signed with the Falcons on Friday to compete for the No. 5 receiver spot. In his 10 seasons, he finished with 389 receptions for 4,816 yards and 44 touchdowns.

The receiver reflected on his career in a Facebook post, writing:

“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have made the decision to retire from The National Football League. After 11 amazing seasons, I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities that football has given me. I want to thank the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and last but not least the New Orleans Saints. Thank you to all of my former coaches and teammates that made going to work each and every day so enjoyable. I also want to thank all of my family, friends and fans for their amazing support. It’s because of you that I was able to play for so long, and you will all always have a special place in my heart. I’ve dedicated more than twenty years of my life to this sport and I always prided myself in playing for the right reasons and respecting the game. At this point if I were to continue to play I would no longer be doing that. The joy that I had for playing the game was shown each and every time I took the field and your reaction to my efforts allowed me to know that I was able to have an impact on and make so many people happy. I will forever be grateful to all of you. While I still love the game of football, I love the game differently now. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family as well as exploring other opportunities and moving into the next phase of my life. To my former teammates who are still lacing them up good luck and continue to pour your heart into the game. And to my now fellow former players I look forward to joining you in retirement. Few people are able to leave this game on their own terms, and I’m proud that I’ve been able to make this tough decision and move on with my life. Thank you all so much and God bless!

#16 Lance Moore”

Moore played for three different teams in his career: the New Orleans Saints (2005-2013), the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014) and the Detroit Lions (2015). During his eight seasons with New Orleans, he compiled 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns off 346 catches. His big-play chemistry with quarterback Drew Brees hit its peak during the 2012 season, when Moore tore through defenses for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns.

He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after playing collegiately at Toledo. He joined the Saints in 2006. Over the past two seasons, Moore operated as a role player for the Steelers and Lions prior to signing with the Falcons last week. Projected to push Justin Hardy for snaps in the slot, Moore was a long shot to make Atlanta’s roster.

He won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints against the Colts in 2010.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a man,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “I thought it was real admirable, his approach. What a pro to say, ‘If my heart is not in it, I want to make sure I’m not taking the opportunity from somebody else.’ I thought, ‘Man, what a classy guy.’

“I wish him the best. A guy like that you know is going to be very successful past football.”

Moore’s career was revived in 2015 after signing a one-year deal with Detroit last offseason. He had 29 catches for 337 yards and four touchdowns as the team’s No. 3 receiver.

Sains coach Sean Payton also praised Moore.

“He’s one of the best receivers that has played here,” said Payton on Monday. “The thing that stands out, man, he was consistent, and he would come up big on third down, in the red area. Had a tremendous career.”

Moore’s best statistical seasons were 2008 and 2012. He caught 79 passes for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008, and hauled in 65 receptions for 1,041 yards and six scores in ’12.

“The game will miss a guy like him,” Payton said. “He’s outstanding.”

With the Steelers, Moore caught 14 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: Lance Moore #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on October 18, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)