Ricardo Allen recently retired from professional football after seven seasons, giving fans and teammates a classy farewell message via Instagram.
“I’ve always wondered how it would feel giving up what most people would consider to be ‘most of me’, and that’s being a professional athlete. But, the truth is, I’m blessed to be able to say that it’s been good. It could have been better with two Super Bowl rings, but who’s complaining? Not me,” his post read in part. “Dear, football career. I’m grateful for you, and I’m thankful for the opportunity you gave me to turn nothing but hard work into the foundation of a growing legacy. You’ve shown me it’s not about how you start; it’s about how you finish.”
But he won’t be away from the game too long. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter, Rico accepted a position on Mike McDaniel’s staff in Miami as the Dolphins special teams assistant coach. “Yes, I’m with the Dolphins,” Allen told members of the media on Thursday at the NFL scouting combine.
Allen, a former fifth-round pick, competed for a roster spot back in 2014 under Mike Smith but was surprisingly cut, then landed on Atlanta’s practice squad. After being relegated to the practice squad, Allen switched positions under Dan Quinn’s staff and secured a starting safety spot. The rest is history. Allen was a four-time team captain and 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee during his time with the Falcons.
He was a high-IQ player and has always been an exceptional leader, so it isn’t shocking to see Rico land on a team’s coaching staff.
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