Russell Okung announces retirement, undergoes lifestyle change
Russell Okung has officially announced that he will be retiring from the NFL. The former offensive lineman announced on Twitter on June 5th that he has played his final snap in the league.
The journey from being a 330+ lbs @NFL football player to 100+ lbs lighter – has been unreal! A new me, a new chapter.
— OKUNG ️ (@RussellOkung) June 6, 2023
The number one question I keep hearing is: "how did you do it?" pic.twitter.com/bLBDGe1h7c
Okung hadn’t seen any in-game action since 2020, when he started six games at left tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
He sat out the 2020 season due to concerns with COVID-19 and sat out the 2021 season because of a pulmonary embolism that led to blood clots.
Okung was the first selection in the Pete Carroll and John Schneider regime in Seattle when he was selected No. 6 overall in 2010. He spent six years in Seattle, started 72 games, and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2012. The following season, Okung would win a Super Bowl ring anchoring the left side for the Seahawks.
Okung would then spend time in Denver, Los Angeles and Carolina. He played just one season with the Broncos in 2016, where he started all 16 games. In Los Angeles, Okung started 36 games across three seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career with the Chargers in 2017. He saw his final NFL action in 2020 with the Panthers.
The former Oklahoma State Cowboy earned over $100 million during his playing days in the NFL. Okung was one of many NFL players to convert their salary to Bitcoin in 2020 as the Panthers allowed him to convert half of his contract into cryptocurrency. He remains a big advocate for athletes investing in tech and exploring entrepreneurial opportunities.
Okung seems fully committed to retirement as well, as on Twitter he has showcased how he’s shed over 100 pounds since his playing days through fasting. He claims that he’s been on an all-water diet for 40 days and that the fast has given him mental clarity and spiritual revelation.
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