Is Doug Baldwin done with football?
The former Seahawks wide receiver posted a lengthy series of tweets Sunday indicating he's retiring from the NFL.
Baldwin began by tweeting he "always wanted to write a letter to my younger self" and did so throughout the next 19 posts.
I’ve always wanted to write a letter to my younger self. I never knew how or when I would write it but it seems very appropriate right about now..
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
Dear Doug,
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, papa did get you that Power Ranger toy you wanted for Christmas. He loves you more than you could possibly understand. Cherish the time you spend with him. You can’t get those moments back. pic.twitter.com/2QT3fShtJl
I wanted to write you this letter and tell you that you’re about to endure one hell of a journey. You will feel emotional and physical pain you never knew existed. You will fail over and over again. But don’t worry, all of it will be the reason why you succeed. pic.twitter.com/kpWr64vGNJ
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
Baldwin alluded the "incredible memories, terrible mistakes and valuable lessons" as well as the failures we would endure playing football from his youth through high school, up to college and into the pros. He included words of wisdom and personal photos of himself and his teammates and coaches.
You owe a lot to these people. They will stick by your side when your passion turns into anger. When your drive turns into obsession. They will be the poised warriors that you will need by your side. pic.twitter.com/T95RA7fgKW
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
But when the journey finally comes to the end, you will reflect on what that little boy caught between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola really wanted: to be seen and to be loved. pic.twitter.com/J9rTAid0pC
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
Because the end of one journey sees the beginning of another. And guess what.. it will be one hell of a journey. You will feel emotional and physical pain you never knew existed. You will fail over and over again. But don’t worry, all of it will be the reason why you succeed. pic.twitter.com/RBH3hy5dip
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
His final tweet included a "Game of Thrones" GIF that read "My watch has ended."
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) May 13, 2019
Baldwin, 30, was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and spent his entire career in Seattle until the team announced Thursday they had terminated his contract with a failed physical designation. Fellow veteran Kam Chancellor was released under the same circumstances.
Baldwin had been considering retirement after suffering a string of injuries that cumulated into multiple surgeries. The two-time Pro-Bowl selection holds the franchise record for touchdown catches in a season (14 in 2015) and matched the team record for receptions in a season (94 in 2016).