Veteran offensive lineman Shane Lemieux has announced his retirement after spending his final NFL season with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Lemieux released this statement on his LinkedIn profile, ending a six-year career that was unfortunately beset by numerous injuries and surgeries.
Today I am announcing my retirement from the NFL after 6 seasons.
After graduating from the University of Oregon and being drafted by the New York Giants, I had dreams of a 10+ year, All-Pro career. I believed I could get there. But after 5 surgeries and more time in the training room than on the field, the game started to look different to me. That is why I am deciding to step away with the health that I have.
While I didn’t achieve that goal, the lessons I learned through the injuries, the releases, and finally getting back on the field mean more to me going forward than any accolade ever could have. And the relationships built along the way have been the most impactful of all.
I am thankful for the game. I’ve dedicated my life to football, and it has rewarded me immensely. But I’ve always seen myself as more than a football player, and I’m ready to show the world just that.
The 28-year-old Yakima native signed with the Seahawks last September as practice squad insurance at the guard positions. He was placed on PS injured reserve in October with an undisclosed injury, never suiting up for the Seahawks even as a game day elevation. During his days as an active roster player, Lemieux played in 25 games (starting 16) for the New York Giants, but ended his last three seasons there on injured reserve. He joined the New Orleans Saints in 2024 and started four games at guard. After the Seahawks’ Super Bowl season ended, Lemieux was one of only a handful of practice squad players not to receive a reserve/future contract.
While a litany of injuries is never how you want your NFL career to go, it seems like Lemieux already has his post-football plans lined up. Happy retirement to Shane and hopefully he still gets a Super Bowl ring!