Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver announces retirement from the NFL

Mike Moraitis

Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver announces retirement from the NFL image

A former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has announced his retirement from the NFL.

That wide receiver is Mohamed Sanu, who was signed by the Niners in 2020 before returning to the team and appearing in eight games in 2021, when he tallied 15 receptions for 177 yards.

Sanu, who hasn't played a snap in the NFL since that season, revealed that he's hoping to get into coaching in his post-playing days and he is also starting a new podcast.

"After 10+ years in the NFL, my playing chapter is closing. Grateful for every coach, teammate & fan. Excited to give back through coaching & share the game in a new way with the [Facts Over Stats] Podcast. The journey continues," Sanu wrote.

Sanu was a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012 and spent 10 seasons in the league. He also played in games with the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Detroit Lions.

His best season came in 2018, when he recorded 66 catches for 838 yards with the Falcons. The receptions mark was the second-highest of Sanu's career, and the 838 yards was a personal best.

"To watch him retire is kind of like touching to me," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of Sanu. "Bringing him in, he was my free agent. We went to the Super Bowl together, obviously we had a great run. I remember trading him to the Patriots, how sad it was, how emotional it got for me and him."

A Rutgers product, Sanu finishes his career with 435 receptions for 4,871 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also added 42 carries for 226 rushing yards and two scores, and Sanu even completed 7-of-8 passes for 233 yards and another four touchdowns.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.