Ahkello Witherspoon, cornerback for the Washington Commanders, has announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 31. The team confirmed the news on Tuesday, placing Witherspoon on the Reserve/Retired List and signing cornerback Fabian Moreau as his replacement. According to ESPN, Witherspoon practiced on Monday but informed the team of his decision to retire the following morning.
Earlier this year, Witherspoon signed a one-year, $1.41 million deal with the Commanders. However, he will not play for the team this fall.
Witherspoon made his mark in college football at Colorado, where he excelled as a defensive back. Over 37 games, he achieved 71 tackles, three interceptions, 27 passes defended, recovered one fumble, and forced another. In his senior year, he led the nation with 22 passes defended.
The San Francisco 49ers chose Witherspoon in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was an important player in their secondary, starting in 33 of 47 games. During his time with the 49ers, he recorded 117 tackles, four interceptions, returned one for a touchdown, and defended 24 passes.
After four years with the 49ers, Witherspoon briefly joined the Seattle Seahawks but was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers without playing a game for Seattle. In Pittsburgh, he participated in 13 games, starting seven, and recorded 35 tackles with four interceptions.
His time at the Los Angeles Rams followed, where he signed three consecutive one-year contracts. His standout season happened in his first year with the Rams, starting all 17 games, tallying 52 tackles and three interceptions.
Throughout his career, Witherspoon played in 96 games, starting 64 of them, and accumulated 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, and 60 passes defended.
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