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Five athletes who announced their retirement in memorable fashion

Jared Allen announced his retirement by galloping away on a horse, which got us thinking about the best retirement announcements. 
Dan Gartland|
Five athletes who announced their retirement in memorable fashion
Five athletes who announced their retirement in memorable fashion

As good as Jared Allen’s NFL career was, his retirement announcement may have been better. On Thursday, Allen told the world he was done playing football by galloping away on a horse, which got us thinking about other memorable ways athletes have announced they were saying goodbye. 

5. Flavia Pennetta

Pennetta defeated Roberta Vinci in the 2015 U.S. Open final and said right there on the court after the match that she was done. Well, sort of. Pennetta left the door open for an appearance at the 2016 Olympics. 

4. Marshawn Lynch 

Lynch’s announcement would have been understated if it didn’t come in the middle of the Super Bowl. It’s still a pretty creative way to break the news, though.

• Mural on dirty truck pays tribute to Marshawn Lynch

3. Jared Allen

If only there had actually been a setting sun.

2. Jerome Bettis

Bettis did it the way Peyton Manning could have—while hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. 

[youtube:https://youtu.be/z38Xa2XmUSY?t=203]

1. Rulon Gardner

Gardner, who won a gold medal in wrestling at the 2000 Olympics, lost a toe to frostbite in a snowmobiling accident in 2002. He returned to the Olympics in 2004 and won a bronze medal, leaving his shoes on the mat after match as he wept. 

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Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland writes Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, and is the host of the “Stadium Wonders” video series. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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