When one door closes, another opens. On Saturday, the Vikings announced 39-year-old cornerback Terence Newman was retiring and would join the team’s coaching staff.
Newman, who played 15 seasons in the NFL, turns 40 in three days and ultimately was ready to begin the next phase of his football career.
.@terencenewman has announced his retirement.
He will join the #Vikings coaching staff effective immediately.
📰: https://t.co/NHAftGpr1k pic.twitter.com/1KrkWoiIVr
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 1, 2018
He will join Mike Zimmer’s coaching staff, a fitting role given he has played under Zimmer for three different teams and developed a close relationship with the coach.
Across 221 career games in the NFL, Newman finishes with 42 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns. He also made the Pro Bowl twice in his career.
Upon Newman’s retirement, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers now becomes the league’s oldest defensive player at 38. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady remains the only non-kicker who is 40-plus years old in the NFL.