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4 hours ago
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The Los Angeles Chargers likely thought they had one of their long-term answers at safety.
Instead, after the 2023 season, Nasir Adderley stepped away from football.
He was just 25 at the time when he chose to retire, and it shocked the NFL.
Now, Adderley has shared some of his story with the Philadelphia Inquirer, his hometown newspaper.
“During that time I went through a spiritual awakening and realized my purpose wasn’t just playing in the NFL," Adderley said. "It was to be a present father. My daughter was very young but still visibly upset when I was gone. I never expected for it to hold a profound impact on her at such an early age, but it changed my perspective completely."
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Adderley earned his degree in health behavior science from Delaware after his early retirement.
“As soon as I realized my time being taken away from learning about health, I knew it was time to move on," Adderley said. "In business, I found myself searching for the most lucrative opportunity instead of just committing to the industry that was calling my name since I was a little boy. I said, ‘That’s why I left the NFL.’ I’m not going to make my decisions based on money. I’m going to make my decisions based on purpose."
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Adderley was a second round pick in 2019 out of Delaware.
He made three interceptions across four seasons and totaled 232 tackles.
Adderley began his life after football earlier than most in the NFL would choose to make that leap, but he seems happy to have done so.
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