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Shane Lemieux, an NFL offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks earlier this year, has announced his retirement.
Lemieux, a fifth-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft, shared the surprising life update on his LinkedIn page on Tuesday. The 28-year-old pointed to the five surgeries he has undergone during his career as a driving force that led him to his decision.
New York Giants guard Shane Lemieux (66) during the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn photos)
“After graduating from the University of Oregon and being drafted by the New York Giants, I had dreams of a 10+ year All-Pro career,” Lemieux wrote. “I believed I could get there. But after 5 surgeries and more time in the training room than on the field, the game started to look different to me. That’s why I’m deciding to step away with the health I have.
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“Even though I didn’t reach that goal, the lessons I learned through the injuries, the releases and finally getting back on the field mean more to me going forward than any recognition ever could have. And the relationships built along the way have been the most impactful of all.”
New York Giants offensive guard Shane Lemieux (66) looks on in action during a game between the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants on September 20, 2020 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lemieux spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Giants, starting nine games during his rookie campaign.
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In 2021, Lemieux underwent season-ending surgery to repair the patella of his left knee. The following year, he injured a toe during the preseason and was ultimately placed on season-long injured reserve in December. In 2023, Lemieux tore his biceps during an October practice and managed to play just 27 snaps during the season.
Shane Lemieux #66 of the New Orleans Saints looks on from the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers during the second of a preseason game at Levi’s Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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After brief stints with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 and 2025, Lemieux agreed to a deal with Seattle in September 2025 to join the Seahawks’ practice squad. He didn’t play in a game for the Seahawks a season ago.
What’s next for Lemieux, who turns 29 in May, is unclear, but the former first-team All-American signed off his retirement announcement with a motivational message.
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“I am grateful for the game. I have dedicated my life to football and it has rewarded me tremendously,” Lemieux wrote. “But I’ve always seen myself as more than a footballer and I’m ready to show the world just that.”
