KU great Aqib Talib to tackle new podcast after announcing retirement from NFL
Aqib Talib, an All-American who starred in the secondary for Kansas’ 2008 Orange Bowl championship team, has announced his retirement after 12 years in the NFL.
Talib — a five-time Pro Bowl pick who won an NFL title with the Denver Broncos in 2016 — made the announcement on Twitter.
“Much love to everybody who played a part in my career. Sorry I couldn’t join you in New England Bill! You’re welcome to come on the show!” Talib said in introducing his new podcast, “Call to the Booth.”
The 34-year-old cornerback was directing a personal message to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who asked Talib to join the Patriots for this 2020 season. Talib said on his podcast he declined a one-year deal worth between $5 and $6 million.
“I was halfway out the door,” Talib said of being close to accepting the offer from the Pats.
Talib — he suffered a rib injury that limited him to five games a year ago — studied the Pats’ 2020 schedule and saw games against tight ends Travis Kelce of the Chiefs, Darren Waller of the Raiders and George Kittle of the 49ers.
“Usually, when I get in this position and I’m going to a new team, my thoughts are all positive,” Talib said on his podcast as reported by boston.com.
“This time, I looked at this schedule. I said, ‘Can I even strap these damn tight ends?’ You look at the Patriots’ schedule, it’s tight end after tight end after tight end, week in, week out. I said, ‘It’s over with.’ Once I said that, once that negative thought crossed my mind, man, my heart, my competitive edge, I’m not really in it any more.”
A first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, Talib played for Belichick in New England in 2012 and 2013 after a trade with Tampa Bay.
He spent four years with the Broncos, then his last two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
He played five games last season, his season ending because of a rib injury. He was traded to Miami midseason despite the injury. He finished his career with 35 interceptions and 10 interceptions for touchdowns.
“Known as a physical corner who could jam receivers and get them off their routes, as well as his animated approach, Talib will no doubt remain in the NFL limelight as he moves to the media side of the game,” wrote NFL.com’s Kevin Patra.
He told the Associated Press his favorite memories in the pros were in Denver.
“Definitely that Super Bowl 50 win, that confetti falling, the parade, the whole nine yards, that was my most fond memory by far,” Talib told AP.
He was a member of the “No-Fly Zone” secondary in Denver with Darius Stewart, Chris Harris Jr., T.J. Ward and Bradley Roby.
“It was a match made it heaven,” Talib told the AP. “We all knew how to deal with each other, we all knew how to work with each other. It was dope to be a part of one of the best secondaries in history.”
Talib had a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown in KU’s 24-21 win over Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl, which capped a 12-1 season. That TD gave KU its first lead of the game. He went on to win the game’s MVP award.
Talib was inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 individually and as part of the entire Orange Bowl-winning team and at that time had his name placed on KU’s Ring of Honor in Booth Memorial Stadium.
The Cleveland native played three years at KU before heading to the draft where he was picked 20th by Tampa Bay. He finished his KU career with 13 interceptions and 45 pass breakups.
“He was a great player here,” former KU coach Mark Mangino said of Talib in 2017. “I’m not surprised he’s a great player in the NFL. The thing about him … the guy has a real zest for life. The guy will get you excited. He has a lot of energy. He’s the life of the party so to speak. What’s that they say, ‘A high tide lifts all boats?’ He’s a high tide.”
Of his new podcast, the talkative Talib said: “I’m going to shoot my shot at the broadcast and stuff. I’m talking to a few people now, we’ll see how it goes. I also got my podcast going, ‘Call to the Booth,’ we’ll be talking a bunch of football, having a little fun.”
He stated on Twitter: “Aqib Talib is officially retired and I’m bringing my talents to the booth. Football gave me so much in life.”
