Shaq Barrett Retires
July 20th, 2024
Done with football.
This is a shocker on the eve of the opening of (most) training camps.
Former Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett retired today. That’s the word from Adam Schefter of ESPN. Per Schefter, Shaq wanted to spend more time with his family.
Joe, ever the cynic, translates this to Shaq not being confident he would make the Dolphins final-53, the team he signed with after the Bucs released him this past offseason.
Shaq may have been the greatest defensive free agent signing by the Bucs since Simeon Rice. Shaq was a nondescript bit player with the Broncos when the Bucs signed him in 2019. He completely blew up that season to set a franchise record with 19.5 sacks and was a critical piece of the Bucs defense in the Super Bowl-winning 2020 season.
Screenshot
July 20th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
You’re a class act Shaq! Thanks for helping us earn a 2nd Lombardi 🏆
July 20th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
This should put paid to the pundits claiming our defense is in trouble because Barrett left. Faced with a new system that he didn’t know inside out, competing with younger people who were either on the same level, or even had a leg up, it became clear that he’d lost more than a step post-surgery, and just wasn’t the same guy.
I think he could probably have eeked it out as backup for a bit, but… why? He got a ring, got his money. Good time to call it quits while he still has decent health.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Much love and respect shaq!
July 20th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
As I think about it, it’s also worth noting that his daughter passed away tragically last year. One more reason to focus more on his family. Thanks, Shaq. You helped get that ring, and that will always be true. Enjoy retirement.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Thanks Shaq! He had a great run!
July 20th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
The man lost his beloved little daughter, bet it has nothing to do with him thinking he couldn’t make the dolphin’s roster. Kind of a pathetic thing to write.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
I’ll take Shaq as the better signing. Rice was already a stud and he got paid. Shaq was making peanuts for an almost 20 sack season.
Rice is the best DE I’ve ever seen play for the Bucs but I never got to see Lee Roy play.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:47 pm
Sim and Shaq were awesome, for sure, but I think they are 2 and 3 on that list. Hardy Nickerson was the guy who helped return the Bucs D to greatness!
July 20th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
God bless Shaq.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Love to Shaq and his family. Awesome player, even awesomer human. What tragedy he has endured, but still came to work, and early in the season won the Bears game for us.
Bring him back as an assistant to mentor the young Bucs from time to time. He could do a lot for Diaby, and probably would also advise JTS that it’s time for him to quit football and launch that line of cosmetics for men. Football isn’t for everyone.
July 20th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
It’s hard returning to greatness after a Major body injury. Shaq came back and played. But I think he knew after last season he could play but not up to the level he wanted to. He can still play. But I guess he figured why? Why risk further injury and pain. I think its a great decision by him. He is walking off under his own terms. Good luck Shaq. And thanks for those great Buc years.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Just rewatched his post SB interview. Told #77 of the Chiefs he was a scrub, was trash, was gonna have to take a train home because they wouldn’t let him on the flight. Some of the best Bucs trash talk ever.
What a great guy. Gonna miss his bright energy and team spirit. I’m sad.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:09 pm
“Shaq may have been the greatest defensive free agent signing by the Bucs since Simeon Rice.”
I absolutely love both those guys, and think Simeon should be in the HoF. But the Bucs best free agency signing ever was Tom Brady.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Shaq was a class act I hoped he would stay a Buccaneer but since he never played a game for the dolphins imho he retired a Buccaneer in my book and I agree with someone else on here that they should bring him back on some sort of coaching aspect when he feels up to it i am 100% positive he has knowledge he can pass down to the younger guys on the bucs def line.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
I echo all the positive reviews.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Thank you, Shaq! You are an instant Ring of Honor nominee.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:47 pm
Shaq is a great guy. The Bucs should add him as a PT OLB coach.
Get Yaya, JTS, and Braswell dialed in.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Poor Shaq, he lost his baby daughter last year due to a trajedy. Him retiring tells me he just lost his will to keep playing and putting in the necessary work it takes to maintain greatness in the league. He was really good for us for years,Ty Shaq. Who can blame him for losing his drive for football. A parent never truly gets ever losing a child especially the way he lost his baby girl. May God Bless you Shaq.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Thanks for everything, you are a Buccaneer Man!
July 20th, 2024 at 6:58 pm
Shaq was a great Buc I think his leg injury did him in. He was never the same after that. Congrats on the retirement Shaq thanks for everything.
July 20th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Great Buc ing Deal Shaq !! Thanks For all Your Leadership, Great Games and Great Seasons …… Enjoy !!
July 20th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
You should do the right thing and remove your cynical line about making a football roster and think about the human being. He specifically said in his statement what it is and what he is doing. What you wrote is simply disrespectful.
July 20th, 2024 at 7:29 pm
Good Luck Shaq Barret, thx for the memories
July 20th, 2024 at 7:40 pm
A terrific player and person. So tragic what happened last summer. I wish him and his family nothing but health, happiness and success in the future.
July 20th, 2024 at 7:43 pm
Sad… Achilles tendon is nearly impossible to recover from in a position that requires explosive movement several times each snap.
July 20th, 2024 at 7:47 pm
I wanted Shaq when he was coming out of college, too! Dolphins already made him retire.🤣
July 20th, 2024 at 8:02 pm
Your take on him retiring because he couldn’t make a team is stupid and disrespectful. He lost a child and death gives you a new perspective as a father pour in to your kids that’s your purpose as a father tomorrow isn’t promised.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Good for you and your family Shaq. Best wishes!
Thanks for delivering the way you did.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:43 pm
Anyone who expects any better from whatever joe this is to write something a little better and show a little respect doesn’t know “joe”. Probably the least respected “journalist” that covers the team, that goes for his peers and most likely the team.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:45 pm
Good for him. Live it up, man.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Blessings to you and your family Shaq , you’ll forever be a Buccaneer!
July 20th, 2024 at 9:05 pm
Blessings to you and your family, Shaq, you’ll forever be a Buccaneer!!!
July 20th, 2024 at 9:25 pm
Great Buc. Terrific human. Wish him and his family the best. Love seeing players hang it up at the right time.
Best wishes sir. Thank you for helping Tampa win another championship.
July 20th, 2024 at 10:01 pm
Good guy
The injury and the death of a child probably put things in perspective good luck!!!
July 20th, 2024 at 10:24 pm
MVP of our Super Bowl victory
July 20th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Bring him back on a prove it contract
July 20th, 2024 at 10:44 pm
Bittersweet. Much ♥️ Shaquil!
July 20th, 2024 at 11:39 pm
Glad he got to go out on his own terms. Bucs look smarter now for not re-signing him. Our staff could probably see the love wasn’t there any more for the game. I was surprised he came back to play last year. Nobody would have faulted him for walking away then after what he went through.
July 21st, 2024 at 1:05 am
Cut Gregory stat and replace him with Shaq no brained COME ON JL TB
July 21st, 2024 at 5:03 am
Love Shaq and he has made the right decision. Outstanding football player for years and will truly be missed from the NFL.
Losing a child is one of most horrific things a parent can go through. You go through so much and can never get over that pain. It is always there every single day. Even with a new scenario, the pain may lessen but it doesn’t change the hurt and regret of time lost. Shaq is now going to spend time with his family making their dreams come true while they support each other. This shows so much about Shaq’s character. I hope he keeps us all updated on how they are doing. Maybe he will stop by One Buc place once in awhile with his family.
Wish the Barrett family the best!
July 21st, 2024 at 6:40 am
Enjoy your retirement!
July 21st, 2024 at 7:01 am
We love you Shaq! Instant Ring of Honor! Before Brady!
July 21st, 2024 at 8:54 am
Best wishes to the Barrett family, Shaq was one of the few pleasant suprises year 1 as a Buc back 2019 and he went on to be a mainstay here not just as a player but as a teammate. The guys all rallied around him last season as his 2nd family and I’m just glad he’s taking himself out of the mix to focus on the rest of he and his families life.
I just got one request.
Shaq, plz come back and teach these kids all those dope ass pass rush movies you showed off in your Buc career, dude was like the Willy Wonka of pass rushing and the bag was deep, deep
July 21st, 2024 at 10:04 am
Great player, great person, sorry to hear. Sorry about his daughter. Sorry about his injury,, sad day.
Jioe the cynic is probably right but that comment isn’t going to go down as a favorite and I guess I will get blocked for saying so.
Which is fine, Shaq is worth it.
July 21st, 2024 at 10:04 am
Jason Licht, is there a future for Shaq somewhere in the Bucs organization? Scouting? Coaching? Public Relations?
Thank you for bringing the heat Mr. Barrett!
July 21st, 2024 at 10:50 am
Dude “the Willy Wonka of pass rushing?” Nice.
July 21st, 2024 at 12:41 pm
I’m not sure he fully recovered from that Achilles rupture, something I am also dealing with.
Plus, losing a child.
Thanks for the effort, Shaq, and than you for being a Buc. You will never be forgotten.
July 21st, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Good for him. It’s a great thing to be able to retire on your own terms.
On a side note: It’s pretty horrifying to see NFL players with such poor language skills. The university system is failing in a pretty devastating fashion.
July 21st, 2024 at 7:31 pm
Shouldn’t be a shocker at all. Many clues.
July 21st, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Nothing but love and respect for Shaq! Good a good dude all around it seemed. Terrible what happened.
Wish him and his family the best. Maybe he’ll swing by Camp and give the rookie pass rushers some tips!
July 22nd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Thanks for the SB Shaq, your 19.5 sacks in 2019 was one of the better things that year.