Former Cal Center Alex Mack Retires from the NFL
3 x All-Pro, 7 x Pro-Bowl, and 3 x All-Pac-10 Center Steps Away From the Game
One of the greatest Cal NFL players of the last 20 years retires from the NFL. Coming in as an un-heralded 2* he emerged as the top center prospect in the 2009 NFL Draft, was taken 21st overall by the Cleveland Browns, one of the nine centers ever taken in the 1st round.
During his 13 years in the NFL he played 196 total games (10,024 total snaps), missing only 13 games (11 games in 2014 and 2 in 2020). He anchored the lines for the Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and then San Francisco 49ers.
During his career, he made over $92 million signifying how in demand he was in a league where centers tend to be the lowest-paid on the OL.
In Super Bowl LI Alex Mack played on a fractured fibula showcasing his toughness on the highest stage. During the Falcons’ run to the Super Bowl Alex Mack was lauded as one of the key forces on offense, becoming the leader of a potent passing and rushing attack coordinated by then OC, now Niners HC Kyle Shannahan.
His ability to process defensive fronts, blitzes, as well as physical attributes was one of the reasons why Shannahan’s offense flourished that year and why he came to the Niners in 2021. He remains the template for a modern center in a wide zone scheme.
Congratulations on a hell of a career! Enjoy retirement and hope to see you at CMS now that you have time in the fall.
Whoop Whoop! One of my favorite Bears! An academic Heisman, an NFL stud, a true Bear! I know players don't always make good coaches, but god I would love him hanging around the team and coaching up some Bears! He's such a warrior and intellect.
I hope he gets involved in mentoring the O-lines at Cal in the future.