Future Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis, who played most of his legendary career with the Jets, announced his retirement Wednesday.
"Darrelle Revis is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Jets jersey and one of the most dominant defensive players in the history of professional football," said CEO Christopher Johnson. "Darrelle's preparation, competitiveness, intelligence and attention to detail are a reflection of his dedication to the game and his teammates. Just as remarkable is Darrelle's humility and how approachable he is off the field. Jets fans everywhere slept well at night confident that receivers would be stranded on Revis Island."
Over 11 NFL seasons, Revis was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first team All-Pro selection. He played with four teams, totaling 29 interceptions and 140 pass defenses while earning that "Revis Island" moniker. He played eight seasons with the Green & White, collecting 25 interceptions and 112 pass defenses.
Targeting Revis in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Jets moved up 11 spots in a swap with the Carolina Panthers and made Revis the first cornerback chosen with the 14th overall selection. The Pittsburgh product had three interceptions his rookie year and would soon become one of the most feared players in football. He earned Pro Bowl trips after each of the next four seasons and was also named first-team All-Pro from 2009-2011.
Revis was brilliant in 2009, recording a career-high six interceptions in addition to a league-high 31 passes defended. Matched up with the opposition's top receiver every week, Revis made some of the game's top weapons disappear. Shadowing his assignment as soon as they left the huddle, Revis held Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith and Roddy White all to under 40 yards receiving. He helped the Jets lead the NFL in pass defense and then added a pair of postseason interceptions as the team made a run to the AFC Championship Game.
The following season, teams refused to throw to Revis' side of the field. He managed 10 PDs as the Jets finished third in the NFL in defense and advanced to the conference championship game a second consecutive year. After a four-interception campaign in 2011, Revis' 2012 season ended abruptly when he tore his ACL in a Week 3 contest at Miami.
Top Images of the 7-Time Pro Bowler, Who Announced His Retirement on Wednesday
On April 21, 2013, the Jets traded Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following a contract impasse. Revis played 16 contests for the Buccaneers and then signed with the Patriots for the 2014 year. He totaled two interceptions at each stop and helped the Pats to a Super Bowl XLIX victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
But Revis declared on Twitter that he was coming home in the spring of 2015 and he helped the Jets improve their win total by six games. He had a career-high nine takeaways, leading the NFL with four fumble recoveries and finishing with five interceptions.
"Darrelle is one of the best technicians to ever play the cornerback position. As a defensive backs coach, you used his film as teaching tape for young players," head coach Todd Bowles said. "I spent two seasons with Darrelle and he stands out as one of the smartest players I have ever coached. Darrelle was also a player with a relentless dedication to preparation who set a high standard for how he practiced every day. He walks away from this game leaving a stamp that everyone who knows the game will remember."
After starting 15 games for the Jets in 2016, Revis appeared in six games last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The next stops for the 33-year-old Revis will assuredly include the Jets' Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"Darrelle Revis will be remembered as one of the elite players in NFL history," GM Mike Maccagnan said. "When you factor in the rules in place and the emphasis on the passing game, his dominance at the cornerback position is remarkable by any measure. Darrelle's place among the finest players in the history of this organization and the NFL is well-deserved and I wish him the best."