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Legendary Dallas Cowboys Star Retiring From NFL Tuesday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 2:52 PM ET

One of the best offensive linemen in the history of the Dallas Cowboys will officially hang up his cleats Tuesday.

After spending the 2024 season with the New York Jets, offensive tackle Tyron Smith will sign a one-day deal to retire as a Cowboy, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. A first-round pick out of USC in 2011, Smith spent 13 seasons with Dallas, making 161 starts.

Smith was named to the Pro Bowl eight times as a Cowboy and also earned five All-Pro selections, including two first-team nods. He started 10 games for the Jets in his final pro season.

Unfortunately, injuries affected Smith during his final eight seasons in Dallas. After missing only one game in his first five years from 2011-15, Smith never played in more than 13 contests in a single season afterwards.

He was limited to only two games in 2020 and four in 2022. Despite this, Smith remained effective when he played and is still a beloved figure among Cowboys fans.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tyron Smith #77 of the Dallas Cowboys in action during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

"Thirteen years sure is a long time to sum up in one short letter to thousands of people who have made my time in Dallas so memorable," Smith wrote on Instagram last March signing with the Jets. "It's been a long and wild ride with filled with plenty of ups and downs but Cowboy Nation, you all have been there through it all.

"Cowboy Nation--thank you for everything. While I'm excited for this next part of my football career, part of my heart will forever be left in Texas. Until we meet again..."

According to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com, Smith will hold a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to officially discuss his retirement.

The 34-year-old California native is the second all-time great Cowboys offensive linemen to retire this offseason, joining guard Zack Martin, who called it quits back in March.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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