Carson Tinker Announces Retirement from the NFL After 11 Seasons

As NFL teams kicked off the 2024 preseason, one familiar name was notably absent from rosters—Carson Tinker, the veteran long snapper and Alabama alumnus. Unlike previous years, when Tinker would eventually find himself snapping for a team mid-season, this year marks a different chapter. On Sunday, Tinker officially announced his retirement from the NFL, sharing the news via social media.

Tinker reflected on his journey in a heartfelt post, writing, “Eleven years ago, one of my favorite coaches encouraged me to commit myself to an ‘impossible’ goal. Through wins and losses, injuries, championships, rejections, and opportunities that only God could make happen, I was able to achieve my impossible goal of 10 seasons in the NFL. Today, with a full heart, I want to officially call it a career.”

He expressed deep gratitude to his wife, Annie, and their dog, Hootie, for their unwavering support throughout his career, as well as to his teammates, coaches, and everyone who played a role in his journey. “Thank you, football. I gave this game everything I had, and it gave my family and me more than I could’ve ever dreamed of,” Tinker added.

Tinker’s last professional appearance came in the 2023 season, where he filled in for the Los Angeles Rams during their final four regular-season games and a playoff matchup after their regular snapper, Alex Ward, was sidelined by an injury. This brought Tinker’s career totals to 99 regular-season games and two playoff appearances.

Tinker’s NFL journey began after he served as the long snapper for Alabama’s 2011 and 2012 BCS national championship teams. Despite going undrafted in 2013, he caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars and handled their long-snapping duties for four seasons. His time in Jacksonville was marked by both success and adversity, including a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2017 season and a subsequent knee injury that cut his 2018 season short.

Following his release from the Jaguars, Tinker’s career took him to several teams, including the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Las Vegas Raiders, and finally, the Los Angeles Rams. He even played a role in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory, although he never saw game action during the postseason run.

Tinker’s resilience was evident throughout his career, including his comeback with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, where he played in all 17 games as their long snapper.

Off the field, Tinker’s life has been equally remarkable. He survived the devastating April 27, 2011, tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa, a tragedy that claimed the life of his girlfriend, Ashley Harrison. Despite sustaining injuries, Tinker became a symbol of hope and strength for the Alabama community. His leadership during this period earned him and the Alabama football team Disney’s Wide World of Sports Spirit Award in 2011.

Tinker later documented his experiences in his book, "A Season to Remember: Faith in the Midst of the Storm," which chronicles the challenges of that time and the Crimson Tide’s championship journey.

As Carson Tinker steps away from the NFL, his legacy as a player who defied the odds and a man who inspired many will endure.