The 2024 NFL season has come to an end, and many veteran players around the league are considering retirement. Some players appeared in their final games over Week 18, but one former Miami Dolphins player is calling it a career after not appearing in 2024.
Justin Bethel is retiring at age 34 after a 12-year career. Bethel, who played for five-teams during his career, announced his decision on Instagram Wednesday.
“23 years. 12 years pro,” he said. “That’s how long I’ve played the game of football! Been blessed more than I can imagine. Met a lot of great people thanks to football and been to a lot of cool places. But my greatest years are ahead of me.”
Bethel was selected in the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2012, and primarily played as a special teams player. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro during his time in Arizona.
He spent six years with the Cardinals, but also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Bethel spent what would be the final two years of his career in Miami, but did not play during the 2024 NFL season.
Bethel had his best statistical season in 2015, intercepting two passes and returning one for a touchdown. He forced and recovered two fumbles that season, and also ended the year with a combined 46 tackles.
The retiring Bethel played at the FCS level with Presbyterian, making the All-Big South team in three straight seasons to close out his college career.
The Dolphins are looking to figure things out after missing the playoffs in 2024. The health of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains a question, as does the future for head coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has led Miami to the playoffs twice, but has yet to earn a win in the postseason.
We’ll see what happens with the Dolphins going forward, but for now Bethel will retire after last appearing for them in 2023. We’ll see what’s next for him in retirement after a great and lengthy career as a special teams player in the NFL.
