NFL fans react to DeVante Parker announcing retirement after 9 seasons - "This one hurts," "Will forever miss you"

DeVante Parker is done with football after nine seasons - much to the surprise and dismay of many. On Monday, the veteran wide receiver announced his retirement, telling ESPN's Adam Schefter that family factored into his decision:

"I want to see my kids, spend quality time with them. I want to be there for them whenever I can."

He also reflected on his career as a whole, especially the bonds that he enjoyed with his teammates:

"Everyone always welcomed me with open arms, and I appreciated them for that."

Meanwhile, his agent Jimmy Gould said:

"It will continue to be an honor to represent DeVante as he moves forward toward that next chapter of his life."

Fans were saddened:

The outpouring of emotions can be seen further below:

"Noooooo he was in his prime!!!!!" one lamented.

"The beauty of freedom to step away from football to spend time with his children. I respect that," another's praise went.

"Damn that was quick," came yet another's surprise.

A brief overview of DeVante Parker’s NFL career

Born, raised, and educated in Louisville, Kentucky, DeVante Parker was drafted 14th overall by the Miami Dolphins in 2015. As a rookie, he was unassuming, having only 26 catches for 494 yards and three touchdowns.

As a sophomore, however, he shone, with 56 catches for 744 yards and four touchdowns. But that was nothing compared to 2019 when he exploded for 128 catches for 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns. Notably, however, the Dolphins finished last in the AFC East in what was seen as a blatant attempt to tank for Tua Tagovailoa.

After two more seasons in Miami, Parker, then in the midst of a $40-million extension, was traded to the New England Patriots in the 2022 offseason. There, he would share the field with Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Jakobi Meyers and amass 47 catches for 531 yards and three touchdowns.

During the 2023 offseason, he signed a new three-year extension. He would not live up to it though, having a career-low 394 yards and failing to reach the end zone for the first time in his career before being released at the start of the new league year and joining the Philadelphia Eagles - where he lasted just over two months before retiring.