Former UConn fullback and Super Bowl LIV Champion Anthony Sherman retires from the NFL

Kansas City Chiefs fullback and former University of Connecticut football team captain Anthony Sherman has officially retired after 10 seasons in the National Football League.

Sherman, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, spent two seasons with the club before being traded to Kansas City for CB Javier Arenas. He then stayed with the Chiefs for the remainder of his career, making a name for himself while playing a position that has been called a “dying breed” across the league, as the NFL continues to embrace the air-raid style of play and spread formations.

During his eight seasons in Kansas City, Sherman’s accolades consist of Pro Bowl honors in 2018, Super Bowl LIV Champion, and Super Bowl LV runner-up. He led the way for multiple Chiefs running backs who broke the 1,000-yard mark, which was done by Jamaal Charles three times (2012-2014) and Kareem Hunt once (2017). Perhaps his most famous single-game achievement is the block he threw on 49ers Linebacker Kwon Alexander that led to a Damien Williams 38-yard touchdown scamper in Super Bowl LV, which effectively sealed the victory for the Chiefs.

Sherman’s career stats over his ten-year career consist of 66 receptions for 552 yards and four touchdowns, to go along with 28 rushes for 73 yards and an additional touchdown. What may be most impressive about Sherman’s career is his durability, as he never played less than 13 games in a season and played 16 or more games in all of his eight years with the Chiefs.

Sherman came to UConn out of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and immediately started as a freshman. He was a two-time team captain during his UConn career and totaled 61 rushing yards on 17 carries, as well as 48 receptions for 477 yards and one touchdown. His main contributions were in run-blocking, where he paved the way for 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year Donald Brown to rush for 2083 yards, which led the nation. The 2083 yards were also a UConn single-season record, one that will likely stand for a very long time.

Sherman also helped 2010 Big East Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Todman rush for 1,695 yards, which was fourth in the country, and second all-time for a single season at UConn. Additionally, Sherman was a captain for UConn’s only BCS Bowl berth, the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, which culminated in a loss to #7 Oklahoma. However, in this game, he led the team in receiving with 3 catches for 63 yards.

Sherman departing the league means the NFL loses another true fullback, a position that could be virtually extinct in five years. Sherman didn’t seem upset about it, though, as he posted this retirement announcement of him decked out in military gear riding a helicopter into the sunset on his Twitter page. Happy retirement, Anthony.