Saints OL James Hurst retires after 10 years in NFL

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th April, 16:35 2024

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle James Hurst (74) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. credits: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints offensive lineman James Hurst, who split 15 starts last season between left and right guard and left tackle, announced his retirement Wednesday on social media.

The versatile Hurst, 32, was an undrafted free agent out of the University of North Carolina who played for the Baltimore Ravens (2014-2019) and Saints (2020-23). He started 44 of 90 games for the Ravens, and 51 of 60 games for the Saints.

"Twenty-four of my thirty-two years of life have been spent training for and playing this game and retiring will be a huge, yet exciting, change in my life," he wrote on Instagram.

"Thank you for the laughs and the memories," he wrote to teammates. "Thank you for your effort and risking your bodies alongside me because I can't talk football without recognizing the dangers of the sport and the sacrifices that each of you make. You gave everything to help accomplish our mutual goals and I hope that you all felt the same of me. Many of you became some of my best friends off the field and I'll always cherish our time together."

In his final season, 13 of Hurst's 15 starts were at left guard.

—Field Level Media

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