Former Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix announces retirement
Former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback and special-teams standout Roosevelt Nix announced his retirement from football in a Tuesday social-media post.
“To the Steelers and Steeler nation,” read a message on Nix’s verified Instagram page, “there is no other fan base or stadium I would have wanted to play in front of every Sunday! I’m forever indebted to you all! Thank you for all the amazing memories and experiences!”
Nix, 29, played for the Steelers from 2015-19 and was on the roster for the 2018 Pro Bowl as a fullback. A former college defensive end at Kent State, the 5-foot-11, 248-pound Nix was a surprise during the Steelers’ 2015 training camp. He played in 60 games for the Steelers, amassing 12 catches for 69 yards and four carries for four yards while playing mostly a bit blocking role in the offense.
Even in the two seasons in which he played all 16 regular-season games (2017 and ‘18), Nix played in just 16% and 10% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, respectively.
But Nix was one of the team’s core special teams players those years. In 2018, he was rewarded with a four-year contract, and the following year he was named a captain of the special-teams units.
But Nix was hindered by injury in 2019 and appeared in just two games. He was cut during the ensuing offseason in conjunction with the Steelers signing Derek Watt to take his place. Nix signed with the Indianapolis Colts but did not make the final roster as the regular season began.
Nix’s social-media retirement announcement featured a photo of him as a young boy standing on the sidelines in uniform during a game he was playing in.
“I played the game for moments & experiences!” Nix wrote. “I played the game to be a part of a team! I played the game because it brought structure and consistency to my life! I played the game because it was my way out! I played the game because I was an impact player! I played the game because I knew in the BOTTOM of my heart I could change any game I ever played in! This game has given me everything I could ask for and everything I needed. GOD blessed me with a talent that allowed me to touch so many souls all across the world and I’m truly grateful for it. To my family, I love you and thank you for having my back!”
Nix’s retirement announcement comes a day after a player linked to him in both Steelers tenure and resume, Anthony Chickillo, announced his.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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