Former Steelers Pro Bowl fullback Roosevelt Nix announces his retirement

Former Steelers fullback, special teams captain, and 2017 Pro Bowler Roosevelt Nix announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram on Tuesday.

Although Nix did not specifically say he was retiring, it has been confirmed this was his intention as stated by Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A defensive end in college, Nix was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. As the Falcons were featured on HBO’s series Hard Knocks his rookie season, Nix was known for being the first player to be released by the Falcons on the show.

Following the 2014 season, the Steelers signed Nix to a futures contract in January 2015. Making his mark on special teams, the Steelers chose to keep two fullbacks on the roster for the 2015 season along with Will Johnson.

Nix had two career touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, both coming in the 2017 season where he was aso selected to the Pro Bowl. Additionally, Nix had 35 career tackles due to his special teams play as well as two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

In 2019, Nix was selected the Steelers special teams captain for the season. Unfortunately, Nix only appeared in three games after injuring his knee in the season opener against the New England Patriots. Nix was inactive for the Steelers next five games before returning for two weeks. Nix then re-injured his knee and landed on the Reserve/Injured List. Coming back with a “designated to return” status, the Steelers failed to make the postseason in 2019 when he would have been set to return and Nix was released in the offseason after the signing of Derek Watt.

Nix spent the 2020 offseason with the Indianapolis Colts but did not make the 53-man roster.

Looking back at his NFL career, Roosevelt Nix is a true success story on hard work and perseverance. A player who did not translate well to the NFL at the position he played in college, Nix made any changes he could and was willing to put it all on the line on special teams in order to gain a spot on an NFL roster.

This is the second retirement of a recent Steelers player in the last three days as Anthony Chickillo announced his retirement on Sunday.

Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for breaking news, player updates, and all things Pittsburgh Steelers.