Walter Thurmond to retire from NFL after six seasons

By John Buhler | May 31, 2016

Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Walter Thurmond III (26) brakes up a pass in the end zone intended for New York Giants wide receiver Myles White (19) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback Walter Thurmond has decided to retire after six NFL seasons playing for the Seattle Seahawks, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

On Tuesday, six-year NFL veteran cornerback Walter Thurmond decided to retire from football after six seasons in the league. He is best known for playing a crucial role in the Legion of Boom defense with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 Super Bowl winning season.

After 6 NFL seasons, former Eagles, Giants and Seahawks DB Walter Thurmond is retiring at the age of 28, according to source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 31, 2016

Thurmond was originally drafted by the Seahawks in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft after playing for Chip Kelly’s Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12. He would spend his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, playing in 34 games, starting in eight for head coach Pete Carroll.

Thurmond would have one interception, 15 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one quarterback sack, and 65 total tackles in four injury-riddled years while Seattle. While Thurmond would have two solid seasons with the Seahawks in 2010 and 2013, he only played in eight games in the 2011 and 2012 NFL seasons.

He would spend 2014 with the NFC East’s New York Giants, where Thurmond would only appear in two games. Thurmond would finish his NFL career with a strong 2015 campaign with the Giants’ arch rival Philadelphia Eagles, where he would play in and start in all 16 games.

Thurmond’s 2015 NFL season was arguably his best as a pro with three interceptions, seven pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two quarterback sacks, and 52 total tackles.

It’s a bit curious why Thurmond decided to hang up the spikes after what was his best season as a pro in 2015. He’s only 28-years-old and had already carved out a starting role with the Eagles in 2015. Thurmond may choose to pursue other opportunities outside of football after calling it a career on Tuesday morning.

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