Veteran guard Mike Iupati is hanging up his boots after an impressive 11-year career in the NFL.
“My body was telling me it was time to close the door,” Iupati, who played college football in Idaho, told the Spokesman-Review.
Iupati, who has played his last two seasons for the Seahawks as a full-time left guard, told the spokesman that his goal “was to hit 10 years”, a goal he overcame while still playing at a high level. Injuries, however, including stinging necks in her last season, led to the decision to call her a career.
Four times Pro-Bowler and once first All-Pro, Iupati spent most of his career in San Francisco (2010-2014) and Arizona (2015-2018), but the last stop of his career was also a special one, even if it didn’t last that long.
“I fell in love with Seattle,” he said. “The organization was first class. They were so good to me.”
While Iupati’s game days are over, he will still be connected to the game through his alma mater. As reported by the spokesman, Iupati and his wife, Ashley, made a significant donation to the UI Athletics Department Supply Center, which provides healthy snacks and drinks and sports nutrition information for vandal athletes.
And now that he will have more free time, Iupati is looking forward to spending more quality time with his four children.
“I know I’m going to miss it, but I’m kind of excited. I have four boys (8, 6, 3 years old and newborn) and I take care of them every day,” he told the spokesman.
Congratulations, Mike, for a great career.