Former Mississippi State standout and six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement from football on Monday. Slay, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles to cap the 2024-25 season, shared his decision on social media.
“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5 years old for an amazing 13 years at the highest level,” Slay wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of the jerseys he has worn throughout his life. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything,” he added.
The Georgia native played two years at Itawamba Community College before transferring to Mississippi State, where he was named to the All-SEC second team in 2012. He was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and played for them from 2013 to 2019. Slay then joined the Philadelphia Eagles, playing there from 2020 through the 2024 season.
Following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory, Slay signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 season. He played 10 games before being released and was later claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. However, he chose not to report to the Bills, citing personal reasons related to missing time at home, as he discussed on former NFL player Emmanuel Acho’s podcast.
At age 35, Slay considered retirement before ultimately deciding to step away from the game. “It’s hard to say goodbye,” he said. “But God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.” Over his career, Slay accumulated 655 total tackles, 163 pass deflections, 28 interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and five defensive touchdowns. In 2017, he led the league with eight interceptions and 26 pass deflections.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
