Deep inside Alex Mack’s thank-you note for 13 seasons in the NFL was a compelling line, one that aptly describes life as an offensive lineman, whether they’re highly accomplished like him or not.
“I think I’ll miss the O-line rooms the most,” Mack wrote in a retirement announcement Friday on Twitter and Instagram. “Always a special collection of men willing to put in the work together, in near anonymity, for the good of the team.”
Drafted out of Cal in 2009 as a Cleveland Browns first-round pick, Mack returned to the Bay Area for a victory lap, of sorts, to finish his career as the 49ers’ center last season. He went out with his seventh Pro Bowl honor and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
Mack, 36, is the second 49ers starting center to retire in as many years; Weston Richburg preceded him a year ago. Jake Brendel and Daniel Brunskill are the 49ers’ top in-house options at center, though they could also bring in a veteran free agent, such as J.C. Tretter, Mack’s successor when he left the Browns in 2016 for the Atlanta Falcons.
The 49ers did not take Mack or his role for granted.
General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan issued a joint statement Friday thanking Mack for his 2021 contributions:
“The center position in the NFL is the heartbeat of an offense and Alex’s intellect, consistency, love for the game and professional approach made a lasting impression over the course of his 13 NFL seasons.
“Congratulations to Alex on a highly decorated NFL career and we wish him nothing but success in his post-playing career.”
Mack got married last month in Ireland, and 49ers teammates George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk attended the picturesque ceremony.
Mack entered the NFL after playing at Cal from 2004-08 and twice winning the Morris Trophy, awarded to the conference’s top offensive lineman.
He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2010s decade team, and he earned AP Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2013, ’16 and ’17.
Mack’s agent, Tim Younger, celebrated his client’s retirement by noting how durable he was. In a tweet, Younger reminded everyone how Mack “once played through appendicitis and made next start; played with a leg fracture in Super Bowl (for 2016 Falcons). Durable. Dependable. A remarkable career for an incredibly good man.”
Here is the entirety of Mack’s retirement announcement via his social media channels:
“After 13 years and 204 games for 3 teams, I have decided to hang up my cleats. I am so grateful for the game of football and everything it has given me. From the very start it helped shape who I am and taught me life lessons. I started to play football because it was fun and that never changed.
“Thank you to the fans. You have been with me on an incredible journey across the country. Thank you to Cleveland, Atlanta, and San Francisco; I loved living in these cities and will miss their dedicated fan bases.
“Thank you to all the coaches, who tolerated my stubbornness and taught me as much as they could. I always try to hold up my end of the bargain and never let anyone doubt my effort.
“Thank you to teammates and opponents. We are forever bound by our competition at the highest level and by our full commitment to our craft. I think I’ll miss the O-line rooms the most; always a special collection of men willing to put in the work together, in near anonymity, for the good of the team.
“Thank you to friends and family. The demands of pro football can make a career appear selfish, yet, you supported me in my passion and rode with me for the ups and downs. I couldn’t have done it without you.
“This really is more “thank you” than “goodbye.” From draft night to the final whistle, I will carry these special memories, and each of these treasured relationships, with me into my next chapter. All the best, Alex.”
