Odell Beckham Jr. Dispels Retirement Rumors, Confirms NFL Career Far From Over
Odell Beckham Jr., the prolific wide receiver and current NFL free agent, forcefully dispelled rampant retirement rumors on Tuesday, August 12, after a deceptive social media post gained widespread traction. The 32-year-old veteran, who was waived by the Miami Dolphins in December, reassured fans that his storied career is far from over.
The false reports originated from a parody account on X (formerly Twitter), which brazenly mimicked the identity and reporting style of renowned NFL insider Adam Schefter, 58. The fraudulent tweet, published on Tuesday, August 12, dramatically declared, “After 10 seasons in the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr. has decided to retire.” It further detailed his alleged career path, listing his stints with the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Miami Dolphins. This fabrication quickly spiraled, accumulating over 2.7 million views within a mere 11 hours, causing significant confusion and concern among his millions of followers and the broader sports world.
Just five hours after the deceptive post ignited a firestorm of speculation, Beckham Jr. took to his official X account to unequivocally deny the claims. In a direct and somewhat bewildered response, he questioned, “LOL WTF… when was that announced and by who? That’s funny, appreciate the concerns but this Shxt ain’t over yet.” He followed up with a concise and clear statement: “Not done yet… thanks for hr concerns and have a blessed day,” a tweet that alone garnered 1.4 million views as fans eagerly sought confirmation directly from the source. He humorously acknowledged the widespread misunderstanding, noting, “Learn somethin new everyday?” before issuing a firm directive to his fanbase: “No seriously. Plz stop reading everything on the internet, and stop texting me happy retirement b4 u piss me off. That will get no response. I promise u the day I’m done I will let u kno.”
Beckham Jr.’s NFL journey spans a decade, marked by electrifying plays and significant team contributions. Drafted by the New York Giants in 2014, he spent five seasons with the franchise until 2019, quickly becoming a superstar known for his highlight-reel catches. His career then led him to the Cleveland Browns for three seasons (2019-2021), a impactful single season with the Los Angeles Rams (2021-2022) where he contributed to a Super Bowl LVI victory, and a recent tenure with the Baltimore Ravens (2023-2024). His last active season saw him with the Miami Dolphins, though he was waived by the team in December, making him a sought-after free agent as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
Despite the noise and uncertainty surrounding his professional future, Beckham Jr. continues to embody a philosophy of living in the moment. As he shared in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in February, “My biggest focus of my life right now is being present, being able to be present, be where my feet are at, enjoy the moments — because I know that more are coming. There’s going to be good days, there’s going to be bad days. So just being able to be where I’m at right now, and that’s the most important thing.” This mindset underscores his commitment not just to his career, but to navigating life’s unpredictable currents, including the recent wave of misleading online information.
