Former Miami Dolphins WR DeVante Parker retires after nine NFL seasons

Former Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker announced his retirement earlier today. ESPN’s NFL Insider Adam Schefter was the first to break the news.

“I want to see my kids and spend quality time with them. I want to be there for them whenever I can”, Parker said. “ I’m just going to take things slowly.”

Parker would then thank the team that drafted him with the 14th overall pick nine seasons ago.

“I also appreciate the Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the opportunity. I always will have love for the Dolphins and their organization. And I want to thank all the teams, the Patriots and the Eagles, too. But the Dolphins were the first team, and I really want to thank them.”

Drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Parker never really lived up to his draft hype, battling an array of injuries throughout his nine seasons in the NFL. In seven seasons, he suited up for the Dolphins, where he started 64 games, catching 338 of 584 targets for 4,727 yards and 24 touchdowns. During his two seasons with the Patriots, he would catch 64 balls for 933 yards and three touchdowns. Parker signed a one-year, $4.69 million fully guaranteed deal with the Eagles earlier in the offseason.

He will now ride off into the sunset to spend quality time with his family. But for those Dolphins fans who have been supporting this team through the good times and the bad, DeVante Parker will be a wide receiver we never forget.

Enjoy retirement, DeVante Parker. You deserve it!

What are your thoughts on former Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker? Do you have a favorite DVP moment? How did you feel when Roger Goodell called his name in April 2015? Let us know in the comments section below!