On Thursday, Nick Foles, who played in 11 seasons as an NFL player and won one Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, announced his retirement.
The Eagles selected the 35-year-old Foles in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and he spent two distinct stints of five years with the organization.
“I am immensely appreciative of the chance to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle,” Foles stated in a team statement. As an NFL player, the City of Brotherly Love has always seemed like home. I genuinely adore Philadelphia, and it has been a privilege to don an Eagles jersey.
When Foles took over for an injured Carson Wentz late in the 2017 regular season and led the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, he was awarded Super Bowl MVP. This was the pinnacle of Foles’ career.
Although he passed for three touchdowns and 373 yards, the “Philly Special” is what made him most famous. Before the snap, quarterback Nick Foles went from behind center to behind the right tackle on fourth and goal within the Patriots’ 5-yard line, leaving running back Corey Clement alone.
Clement took the snap, and Foles hesitated before running into the end zone. Clement then pitched to tight end Trey Burton, who threw a short pass to Foles for a 22-12 halftime lead.
“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” team chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. “He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and, of course, a Super Bowl champion.”
Foles made the Pro Bowl in 2013 after throwing seven touchdowns in a win at Oakland, leading the league in passer rating (119.2) and setting an NFL single-season record with a 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was the first quarterback to record more than 20 passing touchdowns in a season with no more than two interceptions.
Foles played for five other teams, with his last game on Jan. 1, 2023, for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Eagles announced they will honor Foles during their Sept. 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
