The first round of NFL offseason roster moves began yesterday. The New York Giants released middle linebacker Jon Beason. Drafted 25th overall in 2007 by the Carolina Panthers, the former Miami Hurricane’s career got off to a tremendous start. Beason finished second in NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was named All-Pro for three consecutive seasons from 2008-2010. However, injuries began to take their toll on his career. After injuring his Achilles tendon in 2011, Beason would only play in 29 games over the last five years of his career.
Speaking to Giants.com after announcing his retirement, Beason stated “The only thing I wish I could have done was to have won a championship for the Carolina Panthers…to do something first, I thought was really special and for me to play for the last expansion team, instead of following a legacy of greatness with some of the storied franchises, to do it first was something that was always on my mind. I would say that with everything, even the injuries, the ups and downs of an NFL career, that’s my biggest regret. That’s the thing that looms darkest for me moving forward, knowing that the opportunity has passed me by. It’s something that I’ll have to live with.”
