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Falcons RB Jason Snelling Retires From Football

The Falcons fan favorite RB announced today he is retiring from football.

By Caleb Rutherford
Scott Cunningham

I'm sad right now.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Falcons RB Jason Snelling has decided to retire after seven seasons, the team announces today.</p>&mdash; Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) <a href="https://twitter.com/FalconsJAdams/statuses/440976420060155905">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jason Snelling cites wanting to spend more time with his family as the main reason he has decided to retire from the game.</p>&mdash; Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) <a href="https://twitter.com/FalconsJAdams/statuses/440976593444278272">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Many of us already know this, but Snelling was a running back who played while battling with epilepsy. It was really an inspiration because that is something that affects a lot of people.

Snelling was drafted in the 7th round in 2007 by the Falcons. During his career, he had 363 carries for 1420 yards and 8 TDs. He also had 168 receptions for 1249 yards and 9 receiving TDs. He was a guy who was the definition of underused but whenever he was in the game, he was reliable. Even though he wasn't used nearly as much as he should have been, he never complained.

He also has one of the best plays in Falcons' recent memory:

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Jason Snelling Touchdown Catch (via I'm Scatman)

(It was the best video I could find on short notice on my lame internet)

It comes at a particularly odd time, but it does come prior to the start of free agency, giving the Falcons a chance to either find a replacement RB or allow Antone Smith to step into a larger role.

Seven years is a long time in the NFL for a running back. Hopefully his retirement is a long and enjoyable one, and I hope he hangs around Atlanta.

Thank you, Jason Snelling, for seven years of great football for the Falcons.

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