Devin Thomas, Chicago Bears WR, Retires From NFL At Age 25

Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Thomas has decided to hang up his NFL cleats.

Thomas, just 25-years-old, took to Twitter Sunday to make the news of his retirement official.

“I have decided to retire from the NFL. God has blessed me [with] achieving a childhood dream,” he wrote. “I want to give back to my hometown and coach/ mentor kids so they can reach their own.”

While his decision to call it quits came as a surprise to most, Thomas, a fifth-year receiver who signed with the Bears in the offseason after playing a key role during the New York Giants’ run to Super Bowl XLVI, told ESPN he had been contemplating retirement for quite some time.

“I definitely feel like it’s a weight lifted, the beginning of my true life. I’m very excited to be able to live my life without anything holding me back.

“It’s something I meditated on for some time. But as I was preparing for the upcoming season, my spirit was telling me it was time to turn over a new leaf and put away this childish game idolized by so many people.”

Drafted in the second-round by the Washington Redskins in 2008, Thomas spent four seasons in the NFL with four different teams. Over the course of his brief career, Thomas caught 43 passes for 482 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to returning 60 kickoffs for 1,445 yards.

Last season, as part of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Devin Thomas had three catches for 37 yards. He is most remembered, however, for his two fumble recoveries on special teams against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.

The second fumble recovery set up Lawrence Tynes’ game-winning field goal in overtime.