Two days after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, running back Darren McFadden has announced he's retiring from the NFL.
"Today, I am announcing that I am retiring from the NFL. I have been extremely privileged to play in the League a long time and now that time for me is done," McFadden said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Now a free agent, McFadden said he made the decision "not with sadness or without further opportunity" and that it was simply "the right move for me."
The 30-year-old went on to thank his wife, parents and several coaches before adding the Raiders and Cowboys organizations, including owners Mark Davis and Jerry Jones, respectively.
See McFadden's entire statement below.
McFadden was the Cowboys' leading rusher two years ago but was an expendable player even with the absence of suspended star Ezekiel Elliott. He came to Dallas in 2015 after spending seven years with the Oakland Raiders after they took him fourth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Last year, the year in which rookie Ezekiel Elliott won the rushing title, McFadden only had two dozen touches in three games. He played in only one game for the Cowboys this season, getting one carry for negative two yards.
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In his 10-year NFL career, McFadden rushed 1,302 times for 5,421 yards. He had two 1,000-yard seasons including the 2015 year in Dallas where he finished fourth in the league with 1,089 yards.
McFadden was released Sunday along with kicker Mike Nugent, who filled in when Dan Bailey missed four games with a groin injury. Bailey returned for the 28-6 Thanksgiving loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas' third straight without Elliott.
"Today, I am announcing that I am retiring from the NFL. I have been extremely privileged to play in the League a long time and now that time for me is done.
I want to thank so many people who have helped me along the way. First, and most important, are my family. My wife Tanya, who has been there with me through all of the ups and downs. Of course, my parents - Graylon, Cookie and Mini - without them I would not be the person I am today - they always supported me and pushed me to be the best I can be. Thank you Mom, Mom and Dad.
Second, I also would not have had the success I had without many great coaches and teammates along the way. To all of my offensive lines - thank you for paving the way for me with your blood and sweat. To all the rest of my offensive teammates - thank you for helping me succeed. I want to acknowledge a few coaches as well - all of my high school coaches and especially Coach John Mayes; all of my college coaches - especially Houston Nutt, Danny Nutt and Tim Horton; all of my NFL coaches - especially Tom Rathman, Kelly Skipper and Gary Brown.
I also want to thank the Raiders - especially Mr. D and the Cowboys -- Especially the Jones family.
A very special thank you to Leecie Henson for keeping me straight in high school and helping me get to college.
Also, I want to thank my agent - Ian Greengross. Everything that happened to me -- good or bad -- he was always there for me and I think of him like family.
Finally, I just want to say that I make this decision not with sadness or without further opportunity, but with a couple of days to reflect on how I feel and where I am at this stage of life. I know that this is the right move for me. I look forward to what the future holds - spending some more time with my family, pursuing some outside interests and, of course, going to a few Arkansas football games! #WPS
