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The New York Giants 13-year long snapper Zak DeOssie announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.
The nine-time captain won two Super Bowls and earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time at the professional level.
In his statement posted on Twitter, DeOssie thanked his family, friends and, of course, his teammates at the Giants.
“To everyone at the New York Football Giants - teammates, coaches, trainers, management, ownership, and everyone else who impacted my career and daily experience in big and small ways: I can’t thank you enough for the best 13 years of my life. I have worked with, and for, the best of the best, and that has made me better in every way, every single day. I am forever grateful for the opportunity, the lifelong friendships, and ten lifetimes worth of memories - the big wins on big stages, the tiny victories behind the scenes, and the challenges that have taught me so much. Eli said it best: Once a Giant, Always a Giant, Only a Giant. What an honor.”
DeOssie’s full statement is below.
Thank you @Giants, friends, family, and fans for the privilege of the last 13 years. What a ride! Excited for the next chapter at @GoldmanSachs. #onlyagiant pic.twitter.com/e5w1Bss19G
— Zak DeOssie (@zdeossie) August 7, 2020
The veteran was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft as a linebacker, a position at which he never actually played a down while at Brown University.
DeOssie’s athleticism transitioned seamlessly to the Giants special teams unit though as he made a home snapping to punters Jeff Feagles, Matt Dodge, Steve Weatherford, Brad Wing and Riley Dixon, and for kickers Lawrence Tynes, John Carney, Josh Brown, Robbie Gould and Aldrick Rosas.
DeOssie was known for being an understated, but consistent presence on the Giants special teams. He approached the 209 regular-season and postseason games he played in with the same unwavering intensity. His 209 total career games are exceeded by only four players in the 95-year history of the Giants franchise. His final season in 2019 was cut short by knee and wrist injuries.
“I’m very emotional about it,” DeOssie said on Giants.com. “I grew up at this organization and I am so grateful for all the lifelong friendships I have made over the years. Proud of what we achieved as a team over the years, proud of leaving it all out on the field. I feel lucky to have played with so many great teammates.”
The Brown alum will start a second career as a private wealth manager at Goldman Sachs.