TK Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Ryan Kerrigan announces retirement, will sign one-day contract with Commanders https://www.commanders.com/news/ryan-kerrigan-announces-retirement-washington-commanders Jul 29, 2022 at 01:00 PM by Zach Selby & Hannah Lichtenstein The Washington Commanders have announced that Ryan Kerrigan, the franchise's official leader in career sacks, will sign a one-day contract with the team and announce his retirement. Kerrigan, a first-round pick by Washington in 2011, spent a decade with the team and played in 156 games, including starts in 139 consecutive contests. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, including three straight from 2016-18. "While I'm thankful for the amazing times and memories I was able to have as a player, I'm equally thankful to now have the wisdom and courage to walk away," Kerrigan said in a statement. "We all eventually come to the end of our playing days, and that time is now for me." With his signature "HBK" celebration, Kerrigan had a long-standing reputation of being a fearsome pass-rusher. He recorded at least five sacks in all 10 of his seasons with Washington. From 2014-18, he recorded double-digit sacks in four of five seasons, including a career-high 13.5 in 2014. Kerrigan recorded three interceptions in his career, all three of which were returned for touchdowns. The first came in Kerrigan's professional debut, when he picked off a pass from Eli Manning and returned it nine for a score in a 28-14 win over the New York Giants. Kerrigan recorded 454 tackles in career with 119 tackles for loss and 147 quarterback hits while with Washington. He also had 25 pass breakups and 26 forced fumbles. A fan favorite from the time he joined the Washington franchise following a standout career with Purdue -- he was a unanimous All-American with first team All-Big Ten honors who was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Smith–Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year – Kerrigan gave the team several memorable moments. Aside from his pick-six against the Giants, he forced the ball loose from Dak Prescott's grasp that led to a 20-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. In 2020, he led the team with two sacks, which helped him break the team's official sack record. "It meant a lot. It's pretty crazy," Kerrigan said after the game. "This organization has been around for a really long time, seen a lot of really productive players come through. To be at the top of that list is pretty special for me." Kerrigan's influence was felt beyond the field as well. In 2013, he started his charitable foundation, Blitz for the Better, which provides support for seriously ill, special needs and physically challenged kids. He also was a constant source of knowledge for his younger teammates, and he was always willing to pass it on. "I always thank RK for doing that, and I always thank him for the type of man that he is and just [taking] me with open arms and teaching me the game," Chase Young said after Washington's 2020 playoff game. "RK knows it's all love, and we're going to have this relationship forever." Daron Payne, who played alongside Kerrigan for three seasons, viewed Kerrigan as "a guy that you can just sit back and watch and emulate." "Everything he does is the right way to do things, and you can learn so much from him if you just sit back and watch him," Payne said. "I appreciate him, I love him to death and I'm just happy that I got a chance to play with him. Kerrigan said the relationship he made throughout his NFL career are what made it so special. "My teammates, coaches and all support staff members have become some of my best friends and the time I was able to share with them made going to "work" every day something I cherished." After Washington's playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kerrigan had the chance to reflect on his career wearing the Burgundy & Gold. He spent some extra time on the field long after the game was over reflecting on all the moments he had spent at FedExField. "To think I've been in one place for 10 years and have had the fond memories that I've had, especially at FedExField, I just kind of wanted to go back and relive some of those moments," Kerrigan said. "I was glad I did that, because I'll think about that moment and reflect on it in the years to come." 9 1 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsGuy Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) Congrats to Kerrigan for a great career, and I'm so happy he decided to officially retire as a Commander/Redskin. One thing though. This article says he finishes the team's official leader in career sacks. I thought he was still 1.5 sacks behind Dexter Manley when he ended his time Washington and went to Philadelphia for one season (where he had no sacks, I believe)? Edited July 29, 2022 by SkinsGuy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooleyfan1993 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 @SkinsGuy yeah I think you’re right. from what I can find online, Manley had 97.5, Kerrigan had 95.5. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyJ Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Ryan Kerrigan wasn't a flashy player, but he was one of our greater ones. I wish he could have had some hardware to show for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FootballZombie Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Great career, great player. Dude has been a bright spot in my fandom and I'll always be grateful for his hard work and dedication. Hope to see him around the team in the future. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Est.1974 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Always a class guy who beat the odds. Divided the fan base on occasion but one of the better ones from the last decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskinss Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Always loved this clip 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primetime441 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 This would be much more heartfelt had he not gone to Philly for a year. Still a great Redskin nonetheless. Congrats on the retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCB Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Love ya, 91! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Tomb Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 2 minutes ago, redskinss said: Always loved this clip Kerrigan could have a second career in the spy industry because no one would recognize him. He is such a good guy and I'm thrilled he is retiring as a Redskin/Commander 2 minutes ago, primetime441 said: This would be much more heartfelt had he not gone to Philly for a year. Still a great Redskin nonetheless. Congrats on the retirement. I'm sure he'll have a great career in broadcasting - dude is wicked smart and a great communicator. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Kev Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Welcome home big man, enjoy your retirement. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Wiggles Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) Really good player on some awful teams. Four double digit loss seasons. Kerrigan was one of the few bright spots over the last decade.🥺 Edited July 29, 2022 by Captain Wiggles 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuriousD Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 On the field, in the locker room or out in the community, he was the consummate player and teammate. Thank you, Ryan! 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hail2skins Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Weird that some articles show Manley with 91 sacks as a Skins (which would put him below Kerrigan), but Pro Football Reference gives him 97 (which would be ahead of Kerrigan). Which is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mh86 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) 32 minutes ago, hail2skins said: Weird that some articles show Manley with 91 sacks as a Skins (which would put him below Kerrigan), but Pro Football Reference gives him 97 (which would be ahead of Kerrigan). Which is it? That’s most likely career and not just with Washington. edit* read a few articles stating there were some previous sacks that weren’t properly counted for Manley prior to 1982. Either way, I love me some Kerrigan and enjoyed watching him play. He seems like a really good dude as well. Edited July 29, 2022 by mh86 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 1 hour ago, SkinsGuy said: Congrats to Kerrigan for a great career, and I'm so happy he decided to officially retire as a Commander/Redskin. One thing though. This article says he finishes the team's official leader in career sacks. I thought he was still 1.5 sacks behind Dexter Manley when he ended his time Washington and went to Philadelphia for one season (where he had no sacks, I believe)? 31 minutes ago, hail2skins said: Weird that some articles show Manley with 91 sacks as a Skins (which would put him below Kerrigan), but Pro Football Reference gives him 97 (which would be ahead of Kerrigan). Which is it? Sacks didn’t become a stat until 1982…Pro Football Reference includes sacks for Manley from 1981. No idea if it’s accurate or not since sacks weren’t officially tracked until the following year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Tater Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Ryan was one of the few guys who over the Snyder era that I can say there is no one else who played the same postion during his career I'd have preferred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profusion Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Congratulations on a career well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJL Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I kind of wish we'd sign him to play with Chase out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWJ Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Much appreciation for Ryan for his play on the field and him given to the community while in the DMV. 😀🙏👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsFTW Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 2 hours ago, Califan007 The Constipated said: Sacks didn’t become a stat until 1982…Pro Football Reference includes sacks for Manley from 1981. No idea if it’s accurate or not since sacks weren’t officially tracked until the following year. It might be accurate, but they don't count officially. If the Redskins had taken him back after the suspension he'd definitely be the sack leader but he ended up on the Cardinals and the Redskins obviously didn't need him anymore in 90-91 anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander PK Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Ryan was a very bright spot in a mostly forgettable era of Washington football. He embodied everything you would want from your players both on and off the field. Enjoy your retirement legend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraCommander Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 A step in the right direction. Congrats to him and the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradeTheBeal! Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Thanks for everything, HBK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Chaaarmnder Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 Kerrigan was a good redskin. Marred himself by switching to a division rival and never doing anything there. The writing was on the wall before he left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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