Back to the Detroit Lions Newsfeed

Former Lions LB Tahir Whitehead retires, announces continued commitment to Detroit's youth

Allen Park — Former Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead returned to the team's practice facility on Friday to announce his retirement from the NFL after 10 seasons.

"It was only right to finish the career where it started, retire a Lion," Whitehead said.

A fifth-round draft pick out of Temple, Whitehead played his first six seasons in Detroit, overcoming long odds by becoming a late-round draft pick to carve out a lengthy career.

"Never in a million years, never thought as a fifth-round draft pick I'd get 10 years in the NFL," Whitehead said.