NFL world pays tribute to Jason McCourty

Veteran defensive back and Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty is retiring from the NFL.

McCourty, who played with the Miami Dolphins in 2021, announced his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post on Friday. McCourty had a 13-year NFL career, playing for the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots before his one-year stint in Miami. During his three-year run with the Patriots, McCourty was a teammate of his twin brother, Devin McCourty and was a starting cornerback during New England’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

McCourty made one of the biggest plays in that Super Bowl. The Patriots led 3-0 late in the third quarter but it seemed as though the Rams would go ahead when Jared Goff threw a pass to a seemingly wide open Brandin Cooks in the end zone. McCourty, though read the play perfectly, sprinted towards Cooks and broke the pass up just before the receiver could catch it.

The Rams did manage a game-tying field goal on that posession but didn’t score again for the rest of the game. New England scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to win the defensive struggle, 13-3.

McCourty made a big impression in the NFL. Following Friday’s announcement, many in the NFL world paid tribute to the longtime defensive back.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Eric/status/1548043406538027010

As a Rutgers fan (I know, tragic) I’ve always loved the McCourty brothers as well as most alum from the school. Big shout out to Jason on a fantastic career https://t.co/4KB1LLQm21

— Giants Alive (@GiantsAlive) July 15, 2022

His brother, Devin, even got in on the fun.

What’s particularly impressive about McCourty’s career is that he was a sixth-round pick. Players taken that late in the draft often don’t even make an NFL roster and if they do, it’s usually for a short period of time.

McCourty’s career lasted 13 seasons and it certainly made a lasting impact.

[McCourty Twins]