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Less than two weeks after his 32nd birthday, former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Mike Person called him a career and announced his retirement to 406MTSports.com. The veteran offensive lineman, who started against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV in February, spent nine seasons in the NFL, including the last two in San Francisco.
“I feel like now is the right time,” Person said Sunday. “Obviously I wish it had ended differently, especially last season. You take a beating, and anyone who’s played knows it. At some point you just have to tell yourself that the time is right. My kids are growing up and it would probably happen to me all season away from them if I signed with someone. I’ve already missed too much. “
The Niners’ starting right guard in the Super Bowl, Person, was released by San Francisco in early April, probably as part of the team’s effort to clear the salary gap in an economically tight offseason. While he never stayed with a team for more than two consecutive seasons, he seemed to hit the 49ers right, starting all 16 games in 2018, his San Francisco debut, and then starting 14 during the club’s NFC Championship race. Playing under a three-year contract extension, he was part of the offensive line that fueled one of the NFL’s most dangerous ground attacks in 2019.
Originally chosen in the seventh round of the Niners draft in 2011, Person spent his rookie season in San Francisco, but didn’t actually hit the field until 2013, with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent time among the St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts for the next five seasons before returning to the 49ers, making 48 career starts.
