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On the biggest stage of his life, Ndamukong Suh delivered.
The star defensive tackle took the field in Super Bowl LV for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the other side.
Suh helped lead a torturous defensive effort getting after Mahomes, recording 1.5 sacks of his own and helping the Bucs to a dominant, 31-9 victory.
It didn't matter what Suh had done before or after that moment. In that spotlight, his NFL legacy had been secured.
He also did quite a lot outside that, finishing with 71.5 sacks while playing for the Lions, Bucs, Dolphins, Rams and Eagles.
On Saturday, Suh announced his retirement with a heartfelt social media post, which we share here.
"After 13 seasons in the National Football League, I'm officially retiring from the game of football," Suh wrote. "This decision has been years in the making. But today, July 12, carries a deeper meaning.
"One year ago, I said goodbye to my father. He was my first coach, my greatest teacher, and the man who shaped not just my mindset, but my mission. Before he passed, he asked me to step away from the game. He believed I had accomplished what I set out to do, and that my next chapter would be even greater.
"Today, I'm honoring that wish. Football gave me purpose. It gave me opportunity. It gave me a platform.
"And now, I'm stepping into a new season, one where I use that platform to educate, empower, and elevate others on their path to financial freedom.
"The cleats are hung up. But the work is far from over. This isn't the end. It's a continuation - of legacy, of impact, of purpose. Thank you to everyone who's been a part of this journey.
"Let's keep building," Suh concluded.
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That's quite the powerful way to hang up your cleats for good.
Suh is a Lions great after being the No. 2 overall pick in 2010 out of Nebraska. And then he came to Tampa Bay to team with Tom Brady and came through under the brightest lights.
He's got plenty more he plans to do, but as a football player, despite some controversial moments, Suh at his peak was clearly one of the best.
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