Green Bay Packers defensive tackle has been playing football for a long time — but rather than retire — the talented lineman is taking a self-described “hiatus” from the league.
Raji issued a statement Monday to Packersnews.com, referring to his decision as “a hiatus” and saying that he “cannot rule out a return to the NFL in the future.”
“I have played football and been defined as a football player for as long as I can remember,” Raji said in the statement. “This off-season was the first time that I felt myself pulled in another direction and I am excited to first be ‘all in’ with my family back home and then to explore new frontiers. I am not exactly sure what the next phase of life will entail, but I am confident that all of the lessons I learned during my NFL journey will provide a solid foundation for success.”
Multiple Packers sources told ESPN that they believe Raji, 29, will simply take a one-year break and that Monday’s decision does not constitute a retirement.
Raji was the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft.