It was slightly less than a month ago that the story surrounding Anthony Sherman this offseason was about his desire to return for a ninth NFL season. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs fullback flipped the script entirely as he announced his retirement from the NFL.
Thank you Chiefs Kingdom #deputysheriff #HSI #retirement #Chiefs #NFL pic.twitter.com/pjyN8xO1tP
— Anthony Sherman (@Shermanator_42) March 4, 2021
On the video, Sherman’s message to Chiefs Kingdom was succinct and meaningful: “Kansas City, thanks for the memories. It’s been a great run. Eight years. Super Bowls. But it’s onto the next chapter.”
Just like that, Sherman’s career as a fan favorite player and one of the longest currently tenured players on the roster was over. No more appearances in crazy outfits coming into training camp. No more surprise plays where fans get to yell “Sausage!” at the top of their lungs. No more return on the rather one-sided trade from back in 2013 that brought him to K.C. in the first place.
Anthony Sherman’s retirement flipped the script for K.C. Chiefs fans.
In February, Sherman stated that he was eager to come back for another season to chase another championship with the Chiefs. When speaking to Nate Burleson on Good Morning Football, Sherman stated:
"“I will probably do whatever I can to get back to Kansas City just because — I want rings. And in Kansas City, that’s where you’re going to get them. So I definitely want to go back to the Chiefs and be part of that team.”"
While there is a bit of a hedge there in the use of the word probably, Sherman still sounded like a man with his mind set on playing another year in the NFL and that he was hopeful to return to the Chiefs, likely on another one-year deal. Given his tenure with the team and his obvious charisma and connection to his teammates and coaches, it felt like a safe call for him to return—after all, Sherman would likely be playing for the veteran minimum. But now that’s clearly not happening.
It all leads Chiefs Kingdom to wonder if Sherman had a change of heart as he got into the offseason? Did the Chiefs say something behind closed doors that let him know of a shift in the offense? Are the Chiefs ready to get younger at the position or to become more flexible with roster spots entirely?
In our free agency preview for Sherman, we stated that the Chiefs might decide to move on if the value of the roster spot becomes more valuable than his franchise impact. After a few years of limited on-field production, the team has apparently turned that corner.
While it’s not a complete surprise, it is still sad to see Sherman’s time with the team conclude at this point. He’s been a fun player to follow and guy who clearly loves the sport. He’s also provided memorable plays and fun moments for the fans. For a guy who served as the return for returner Javier Arenas back in 2013, the Chiefs sure got the best end of that deal.
Here’s to Anthony Sherman and wherever that helicopter was taking him in that video.