Patriots guard Stephen Neal is calling it quits.
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com reports that Neal, the Patriots’ starting right guard, was listed as reserve/retired on the NFL’s official transaction wire today. That means the 34-year-old has officially filed the paperwork to leave the league.
Neal contemplated retirement a year ago before signing a two-year deal to return to New England. But he missed half the season with a shoulder injury and has now apparently decided he doesn’t want to play anymore.
So what’s next for Neal? It could be professional mixed martial arts. A year ago Neal said he was considering giving the UFC a try after he retired from the NFL, and Neal certainly has the athletic pedigree to do it. In addition to playing in the NFL, Neal was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion, and he beat Brock Lesnar, who’s now the UFC’s biggest star, in the NCAA final.
Neal did not play football in college, but the Patriots liked the athleticism he showed on the wrestling mat and thought he had potential, so they signed him in 2001. He played in 86 games in 10 NFL seasons, starting 81.
