Many of the NFL’s greatest players have called it quits. The quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning, retired after winning the Super Bowl. The safety for the Oakland Raiders, Charles Woodson, announced before the beginning of last season that he would retire after the season was finished. Former defensive end of the New York Giants, Justin Tuck, retired after 11 years in the league. The wide receiver of the Detroit Lions, Calvin Johnson, retired after just 9 seasons in the NFL when many thought he had many more years left in him. Finally, the running back for the Seattle Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch, retired after a season where an injury sidelined him for most of it.

It’s pretty fair to say that Sunday afternoons will never be the same without these legends. These players consistently dominated the NFL every year and were the epitome of what professionals should be. Some will argue that these men still had gas left in the tank, but to those men the timing was right for them to walk away. Of course, Manning and Woodson are undoubtedly first-ballot hall of famers just based on their numerous accolades and statistics. As for Tuck, Johnson, and Lynch, the hall of fame committee will have to make a decision on whether or not they showed enough in their short body of work to become members of the hall. Many fans, including myself, can say that it was a pleasure and a treat to watch these players every week.