A longtime Clemson pro is hanging up his cleats.
Sunday marked the final game for former Tiger lineman and veteran NFL offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, who is retiring. Before the 2024 season, the 33-year-old said that this season would be the last of his playing career.
Shatley has spent a decade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it’s the only team he’s suited up for in the NFL since being signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in May 2014.
“After 11 unforgettable years in Jacksonville, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the game,” Shatley said in a statement. “It’s not an easy decision, and it saddens me to close this chapter, but my heart is full of gratitude — for the game, for the relationships it brought, and for the privilege of finishing where it all began.”
The Jaguars re-signed Shatley last April, then released him in late August, before signing him back to their practice squad in late November.
On Sunday, before Jacksonville’s season finale against the Indianapolis Colts in Indy, the Jaguars’ offensive linemen showed love and respect for Shatley by wearing shirts honoring Shatley on their way into the stadium.
This is it for Tyler Shatley. Final game he will be around in his NFL playing career. The Jaguars offensive linemen wearing Shatley shirts when they entered the stadium today. @ActionSportsJax pic.twitter.com/CrtPs78eYJ
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) January 5, 2025
A native of Icard, N.C., Shatley was signed by Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent following the 2014 NFL Draft. In his career with the Jaguars, he has appeared in 145 games (51 starts) and owns the franchise record for the most consecutive games played (140). Shatley has also played in five postseason contests, making two starts. Last season, the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder played in all 17 games and started six at left guard.
Shatley was named the Jaguars’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award during the 2022 season.
Shatley — who came to Clemson as a member of Dabo Swinney’s first recruiting class from 2009 that he dubbed the “Dandy Dozen” — began his Clemson career (2009-13) as a fullback for the Tigers, before moving to the defensive line in 2010 and the offensive line in the spring of 2012.
He played in 51 games and made 27 starts during his career as a Tiger, including 25 starts on offense over his final two seasons when he registered 60 knockdowns over 1,776 snaps.
Forever grateful
Congratulations on your retirement, Tyler Shatley! pic.twitter.com/OzxrLDQsrS
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 5, 2025
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 5, 2025
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 5, 2025
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 5, 2025
–Photo courtesy of Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK