After an illustrious 12-season career in the NFL, two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph has decided to take a break from his on-field career and embark on a new journey in the media world.
The 33-year-old former Minnesota Vikings player shared his retirement decision with anchor Peter King of NBC Sports recently.
In Rudolph’s post-NFL path fans will see him taking on the role of a Big Ten analyst for Peacock or co-hosting a Sunday night show on FOX Sports radio this fall.
Former Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph retires from NFL after 12 seasonshttps://t.co/rMeRZHU0Hr pic.twitter.com/Q3q8DwjHan
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 4, 2023
His choice of interest in media was influenced by the scope of new opportunities and to make time for family life, as he and his wife have four young children.
“I played for so long and earned a veteran status, Now I’m a rookie getting as many reps as I can in the media world. This off-season is about, ‘Where do I fit in?’ The NBC job doing games on Peacock is cool. And talking about the storylines of the day in the NFL on Sunday nights will be cool, too.” : said Kyle Rudolph to Peter King of NBC Sports.
Initially, he was drafted as a second-round selection by the Vikings in 2011, Rudolph became a name in Minnesota for the first ten seasons of his career.
While playing for the Vikings, Kyle Rudolph caught 453 passes, gained 4,488 yards, and scored an impressive 48 touchdowns.
He was a big part of the team and is second in the franchise’s history for catches and yards, and has the most touchdowns ever by a Vikings tight end.
Apart from his on-field accomplishments, Rudolph was also beloved by fans for his input towards charitable work in the community and his involvement with the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital endeared him to both the organization and the community he served.
Rudolph made it to the Pro Bowl twice, in 2012 and 2017, as he was one of the NFL’s best tight ends.
In 2012, he caught 53 passes for 493 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Then, in 2017, he had 57 catches for 532 yards and eight touchdowns.
After leaving the Vikings, Rudolph played for the New York Giants in 2021, making 26 receptions for 257 yards and scoring one touchdown in 13 games.
He then had a short tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022, playing nine games.
In the NFL, fans will always remember Kyle as a fantastic player, and his influence will stick around when he starts working in the media as well.
We wish him the best in this new turn of his career and life.
