Jan 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Nick Foles (9) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Super Bowl LII hero Nick Foles officially will retire as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 16.
The team announced Thursday that the quarterback will be honored at its game that night against the Atlanta Falcons.
“Ending it where it all started,” the Eagles posted on X, referencing the city where he began his NFL career and also the playoff win against Atlanta on Jan. 13, 2018, that kick-started the team’s run to its only Lombardi Trophy.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to retire as a Philadelphia Eagle,” Foles said in a statement from the Eagles. “The City of Brotherly Love has always felt like home to me as an NFL player. Philadelphia is a city I truly love, and it has been an honor to wear the Eagles jersey.”
Foles, 35, did not play in the NFL last season after being released by the Indianapolis Colts.
A third-round pick by Philadelphia in 2012, he passed for 14,227 yards and 82 touchdowns in 71 games (58 starts) with the Eagles (2012-14, 2017-18), St. Louis Rams (2015), Kansas City Chiefs (2016), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019), Chicago Bears (2020-21) and Colts (2022). He made the Pro Bowl in 2013.
Foles never started more than 11 games in any of his 11 seasons, finishing with a career record of 29-29 during the regular season.
However, he got on the roll of a lifetime in the playoffs after the 2017 regular season when he took over for injured starter Carson Wentz.
The Eagles defeated the Falcons, 15-10, in the divisional round and routed the Minnesota Vikings, 38-7, in the NFC Championship Game to set up a Super Bowl LII date with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Foles earned Super Bowl MVP honors in the Eagles’ 41-33 win after throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns and also catching a 1-yard TD pass from tight end Trey Burton.
The latter score, dubbed the “Philly Special,” came on fourth down late in the second quarter and is immortalized by a statue outside of Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia’s chairman and CEO.
“He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and of course, a Super Bowl champion. As important as he was under center, it was his positive demeanor, approachability, and kindness toward others that resonated with everyone and continues to speak to his great character. We congratulate the Foles family on Nick’s celebrated career and retirement.”
–Field Level Media
