Veteran offensive lineman Richie Incognito announced his retirement — as a Raider — on Friday. Incognito spent 15 seasons in the trenches.
Incognito wrote a piece on Raiders.com chronicling a football life that was an odyssey.
I owe my ability to maintain single-minded focus to my father and the gift of grit and perseverance to my mother. While those have been foundational to my career, it was – perhaps, most importantly – their unconditional love that gave me the confidence to believe in myself. I’ll never be able to repay them for that.
With sacrifice comes adversity. While I wouldn’t change those long hours in the gym and on the field, I’m excited for the wide-open ventures ahead of me. Take a vacation when I want. Go back to school to get my MBA. Spend more time with my family and friends.
After stepping away from football in 2018, I knew if I came back, it would be to finish out my career on my terms. It also had to be with the right team, which I found in the Raiders. There’s always hesitancy in coming back when you’ve been out of the game, but after a tryout with the Raiders, I immediately knew it was the place for me. It made me hungry to come back.
“I came back. I set my mission. I accomplished my goal.”@68INCOGNITO is retiring as a Raider » https://t.co/n597ul1hPj pic.twitter.com/NkDvYpvGkL
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 15, 2022
I love the Raiders organization, and Mr. Davis means the world to me. It’s why after four teams and 15 years, I’m retiring a Raider.
A nice tribute from the Raiders.
.@68INCOGNITO always had the best Mic'd Up moments 🤣
Congratulations on your retirement, Richie! pic.twitter.com/ckXSixs0g3
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 15, 2022
Congrats On Retirement 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Xk6fY2lVQ2
— 🦅MaddMaxx🦅 (@CrosbyMaxx) July 15, 2022
He played for the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills before finishing his career with two seasons in Las Vegas.