Veteran NFL cornerback Cortland Finnegan announced his retirement from the National Football League today via Instagram. The 31 year old defensive back is perhaps best known for his feisty demeanor that led to scrapes with other players. The best known of course is the fight between former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson that Finnegan references in his retirement announcement.
An overchiever who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Samford, former Division I-AA, Finnegan was a success story for small school players looking to make it in the big leagues. With the standard NFL player lasting only a little more than three years in the league, his nine year career makes his tale even more of a success story.
Finnegan last played for the Miami Dolphins where he racked up 44 tackles and and forced fumble. He has also played for the St. Louis Rams in addition to the Titans and Dolphins.
In his career, he has 645 tackles, five forced fumbles and eighteen interceptions playing in 128 games. He also had return skills and was very valuable on special teams. He was named a first team All Pro in 2008 while also making his first, and only, Pro Bowl. In 2011, he was named to the Pro Football Focus first team All Pro Team.
Congrats to my bro @CortFinnegan on a great career!! Honored to have been your teammate #Salute
— Benny Cunningham (@BCunningham36) March 11, 2015
Congratulations to Finnegan on a successful NFL career and we wish you the best in whatever you choose to do now! You can follow Finnegan on twitter at @CortFinnegan and on Instagram at @cortlandfinnegan007.
