Chicago Bears’ tight end Zach Miller is saying goodbye to professional football. Miller announced his retirement from NFL on Tuesday via Instagram post.
“The time has come to move on from playing the game of football,” – Miller captioned the photo of himself in Bears’ jersey overlooking Soldier Field. “It has been an incredible journey for myself and my entire family, and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support. I would love more than anything to step on Soldier Field one last time, but I physically cannot give the game and our fans what they deserve.”
Zach Miller’s decision comes after he spent the last 17 months recovering from a gruesome knee injury he suffered in October 2017 game against New Orleans Saints which put him in danger of losing his leg. Bears re-signed Miller to a one-year deal last season so he could continue his rehabilitation in the team’s facilities.
He was making progress in the recent months and said he would decide on his career before training camp. It turned out that the pain was too much for Miller to handle and he called it quits.
“Physically, I’m changed,” – said Miller about his condition. “I have certain limitations, and I’m working on that. It’s a new normal, pain you kind of have to deal with. I still have some nerve issues going on I’m trying to adjust to, and I’ll see where that takes me. But yeah, it’s a little different.”
Zach Miller entered the league in 2009 as a sixth-round pick by Jacksonville Jaguars. He also had a stint with Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining Bears in 2014. Miller’s career stats include 146 receptions for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.
