Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier is set to join The Ringer upon his retirement from football Wednesday, according to a report by New York Post sports media columnist Andrew Marchand. Marchand says Shazier will be hosting an NFL show each Tuesday for the multimedia company.
Ryan Shazier is joining the Ringer.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) September 9, 2020
Shazier just retired from the Steelers.
For the Ringer, he'll host its Tuesday NFL show.
Shazier officially announced his retirement in a video on his Twitter on Wednesday, saying he is prepared to “see what else life has to offer.”
Shazier suffered a spinal injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4, 2017, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Following spinal stabilization surgery and continuous rehabilitation, he has regained the ability walk, begun jogging and remained close to the Steelers organization.
He spent two season on the physically unable to perform list, but was placed on the retired list in March, keeping him around the team in a professional capacity and alleviating his impact on the Steelers’ salary cap.
“I’m here to let the world know that today I am officially retiring from the game I love so much,” Shazier said Wednesday. “It’s been over a thousand days since I got hurt on the field. To lose the game in a way I never envisioned has not been easy.”
Thank You 🙏🏽… pic.twitter.com/JS3diYi2ar
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) September 9, 2020
Shazier was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, and started 41 games over four seasons in Pittsburgh. He ends his career with 299 tackles, 24 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks, seven interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He was also a two-time Pro Bowler.
Started by sportswriter and podcaster Bill Simmons in 2016, The Ringer is a sports and pop culture website and podcast network. The site was purchased for close to $200 million by Spotify back in February. The Ringer has not yet officially announced that Shazier is joining the company.