Former 49er Vernon Davis announces retirement before Super Bowl 2020

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Vernon Davis apparently has hung up his cleats.

The former 49ers tight end said as much on FOX's pre-game show before San Francisco plays the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV in Miami Gardens, Fla. 

The 49ers drafted Davis out of the University of Maryland with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. Davis struggled in his first three seasons, infamously drawing the ire of then-interim coach Mike Singletary during his "I want winners!" rant in 2008. 

But Davis grew into one of the NFL's best tight ends in 2008, catching a career-high 78 receptions for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. From 2008 through 2013, Davis ranked fourth among tight ends in receiving yards (4,427) and TDs (46). 

Davis' 14-yard touchdown reception in a 36-32 win over the New Orleans Saints 2011 NFC Divisional Round gave the 49ers their first playoff win in nearly a decade. He posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games in the 2012 NFC Championship Game and in Super Bowl XLVII the following postseason, and Jerry Rice is the only player in 49ers history with more playoff TD catches (19) than Davis (seven). 

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The 49ers traded Davis to the Denver Broncos during the 2015 season, and Davis won Super Bowl 50 as a member of the Broncos at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Davis played four more seasons with Washington, but only suited up in four games this season after he was concussed in Week 4. 

The 36-year-old retires with 583 catches, 7,562 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns in 198 games. Davis played in 139 with the 49ers and surely is due for a warm reception the next time he visits Levi's Stadium. 

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