PHILADELPHIA — Former Westlake star quarterback turned Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is hanging up his cleats.
Foles announced Thursday that he has decided to retire from the NFL after an "incredible" 11-year career "filled with unforgettable moments and amazing people."
"It's been such a special privledge to play for Philadelphia, St. Louis, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Chicago and Indianapolis," Foles said in his announcement video. "To the fans of the NFL around the world, thank you for making the game so special."
Foles – who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 and returned to the team in 2017, leading them to their first Super Bowl win – went on to specifically thank the fans in the City of Brotherly Love.
"Thank you for all your support," he said. "You truly made playing in Philadelphia the most special experience I had in my football career."
Foles thanked all the coaches he played under, his teammates, his agent and his marketing agent. He also thanked his wife, Tori – "the rock of the household" – and his parents for instilling in him a work ethic that took him to the NFL.
At the end of his announcement, Foles touched on his excitement that he will get to "be there each and every day" for his three children.
Foles will officially retire as an Eagle when he returns to Philadelphia for the team's home opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 16.
"Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle," Jeffrey Lurie, the Philadelphia Eagles' Chairman and CEO said. "He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and, of course, a Super Bowl Champion."
Nick Foles' career
Foles was born and raised in Austin and was a star for the Westlake Chaparrals football team, breaking most of the school records previously held by his future NFL opponent, Drew Brees.
Foles attended Michigan State University for one year before transferring to the University of Arizona. He was drafted by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2013 season, earning Pro Bowl MVP honors after leading the NFL in passer rating (119.2) and producing at the time the best single-season touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history (27-2).
In his ninth NFL start, he threw seven touchdowns in a win at Oakland in 2013, becoming one of seven quarterbacks at the time (now eight) to do so in a single game. He accomplished the feat without throwing an interception, joining only Peyton Manning and Y.A. Tittle to record seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in a single game.
In 2015, the Eagles traded Foles to the St. Louis Rams. He played in St. Louis for one season, then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016.
In 2017, Foles again signed with the Eagles to back up Carson Wentz. Late in the season, Foles stepped in as the full-time starter after Wentz suffered a torn ACL. Foles helped pave the way to a 41-33 victory in Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots – the Eagles first and so far only Super Bowl win.
He achieved Super Bowl LII MVP honors, completing 28 of 43 passes for 373 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a 106.1 passer rating.
In 2019, Foles signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was then traded to the Chicago Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2022, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He went unsigned in 2023.
