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Former Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst, who switched to football after a brief career in Major League Baseball, announced his retirement Monday after seven years in the NFL.
The 32-year-old pro, who last played in the league for the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 season, announced his decision in a lengthy post on social media.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) catches a touchdown against Detroit Lions outside linebacker Charles Harris (53) during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on December 26, 2021. (Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports)
“About a year late, but life took off for me the last 12 months… I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey and helped me navigate this crazy life over the last 15 years of my sporting journey,” he wrote in an Instagram caption. “From my high school days at Bolles, to being drafted by the Pirates, to walking on at South Carolina and then making the jump to the NFL. It’s a blessing how far sports took me in this life.”
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Hurst was a two-sport athlete at Florida before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made one minor league appearance as a pitcher, walking five batters and recording one out.
He chose to attend college and pursue a football career and was eventually drafted by the Ravens as the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after three years at South Carolina.
“When I was stuck in a dorm room at 18 in Pirate City, thinking my sports career was over, I never thought I would make it into a 7-year NFL career, but I put my head down and worked. I was determined to make football work after baseball failed me, and I never let anyone tell me I couldn’t do something,” he added in his retirement post.
Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) jogs on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York on December 8, 2019. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
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“I wouldn’t change a thing about my career, the ups and downs made me dig deep, talk to God more and find out who I was inside. The answer: a fighter. I fought daily to be the best version of myself that I could and I hope that showed on the field with the passion I played with every snap and every game.”
Hurst was traded to the Atlanta Falcons after two seasons with the Ravens, where he posted a career-high 571 yards and six touchdowns. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and Chargers.
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) is tackled after a reception against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Nov. 9, 2023. (Daniel Bartel/USA TODAY Sports)
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“From Columbia to Baltimore, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte and Los Angeles, I got to see the world! I’m really at peace announcing my retirement today because I checked every box athletically I wanted to,” he said Tuesday. “Now it’s time to sit back and be the best husband and father I can be!”
