Steelers players, and others, react to Ryan Shazier’s retirement

The Pittsburgh Steelers organization took an emotional blow on Wednesday when Ryan Shazier decided to retire from the game of football. No, this wasn’t earth-shattering news, but it certainly was the end of an era.

An era which saw one of the most dynamic defenders to ever wear the black-and-gold rise to glory, only to have it taken from him on that December night in Cincinnati in 2017.

Shazier has never been one to complain, and his decision to step away from the game was as expected. Soft-spoken, well thought out and definitive. Shazier wants to finish his degree at Ohio State, and see what this world has to offer him outside the world of football. Needless to say, if he puts the same vigor into these new endeavors as he has into his rehabilitation, there is no doubt he will be a success.

When Shazier took to Twitter to make his retirement announcement, players from around the league, and plenty of teammates, responded to wish him well and leave comments of affirmation.

Check out some of those messages below...

(Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as more players take to social media to respond to the news of Shazier’s retirement.)