The Kansas City Chiefs have decisions to make on two dozen impending free agents in the coming weeks, among them longtime fullback Anthony Sherman. However, it appears the Pro Bowler has made the decision an easy one for the team he has called home for the past eight seasons.
On Thursday, the 10-year NFL veteran announced his retirement from the league by, quite literally, flying off into the sunset on a helicopter.
Thank you Chiefs Kingdom #deputysheriff #HSI #retirement #Chiefs #NFL pic.twitter.com/pjyN8xO1tP
— Anthony Sherman (@Shermanator_42) March 4, 2021
“Kansas City, thanks for all the memories,” Sherman said in the 15-second clip posted to Twitter. “It’s been a great run. Eight years. Super Bowls. But it’s on to the next chapter.”
Fans will remember fondly Sherman’s extravagant Chiefs training camp arrivals, which in 2019 included driving up in a NASCAR stock car. Perhaps even funnier was the epic revenge prank that resulted in Sherman raffling off his personal truck last month for charity.
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Sherman Was a Model of Consistency in Kansas City
Given the toll a fullback’s body takes during the season, a decade of longevity is quite an accomplishment, especially considering how today’s pass-heavy offenses have deemphasized the position altogether. Sherman, who turned 32 years old this past December, was scheduled to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on March 17, the first day of the new league year.
Judging by his recent contract history, he had likely been mulling this decision for at least a year or two. Kansas City and its fan-favorite fullback had re-upped on one-year deals for each of the past three seasons, which in 2020 earned him $1.18 million. According to Spotrac, the Massachusetts native and UConn alum walks away having earned $12.2 million over his 10-year pro career.
Originally drafted in the fifth round (No. 136 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Sherman spent his first two seasons in the desert before being traded to Kansas City in April 2013 in exchange for former second-round defensive back Javier Arenas, who played his final NFL snaps in 2014.
Sherman’s role on offense — and special teams — never lent itself to a packed stat sheet, but he wraps up a memorable career with 73 rushing yards and one touchdown on 28 carries to go along with 66 receptions for 552 yards and four scores through the air. Thanks to the Chiefs championship run in 2019, he also has one Super Bowl ring to show off in his next chapter.
Anthony Sherman was the second-most valuable fullback in the NFL during his #Chiefs tenure (2013-2020) per PFF WAR
— Eric Eager 📊🏈 (@PFF_Eric) March 4, 2021
With Sherman gone, only two players remain since Andy Reid first took over as head coach in 2013: left tackle Eric Fisher and tight end Travis Kelce.
Teammates Begin to Weigh in on Sherman’s Departure
Shortly after the announcement on Thursday afternoon, a number of Sherman’s teammates took to Twitter to share heartfelt tributes to the man affectionately nicknamed “Sausage” and “Shermanator.”
“One of my favorite teammates ever! Congratulations on a ten year year my man!,” said veteran center Daniel Kilgore.
Hell yea TONY!! https://t.co/zi0LT6whAR
— Gehrig Dieter (@GehrigDieter) March 4, 2021
“Love my brother Sherman so much. It was an honor take the field w him! #ChiefsKingdom is really going to miss him on Sundays! Good luck on your next adventure,” wrote retired Chiefs defensive end Mike DeVito.
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Chris Licata is an NFL contributor covering the Kansas City Chiefs from enemy territory in Denver, Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @Chris__Licata or join the Heavy on Chiefs Facebook community for the latest out of Chiefs Kingdom!
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