Former Giants lineman, 5-year NFL veteran, announces immediate retirement from football at 28

Shane Lemieux, who played four of his five NFL seasons with the New York Giants, announced his immediate retirement from football in a post to his LinkedIn account on April 21.

“Today I am announcing my retirement from the NFL after 6 seasons,” Lemieux wrote. “After graduating from the University of Oregon and being drafted by the New York Giants, I had dreams of a 10+ year, All-Pro career. I believed I could get there. But after 5 surgeries and more time in the training room than on the field, the game started to look different to me. That is why I am deciding to step away with the health that I have.”

Advertisement

MORE: Super Bowl champion, 13-year NFL veteran announces immediate retirement at 35

Lemieux, 28, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Giants out of Oregon in 2020. He would go on to play 25 games over the next five seasons, wrapping up his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2024.

A native of Yakima, Washington, Lemieux started 52 consecutive games at left guard in college with the Ducks.

MORE: Veteran NFL linebacker announces immediate retirement at 30

Lemieux played 3,611 snaps at left guard during his college career, including 900 across each of his last three seasons. He was named a first-team All-American as a junior and a second-team All-American as a senior.

Advertisement

Lemieux’s senior-year accolades include a Sports Illustrated All-America first team selection, All-America second team selections by the Associated Press and USA TODAY, and Pac-12 All-Conference first team selections by the AP and PFF.

MORE: Former Jets quarterback announces immediate retirement at 31

After he spent more time on injured reserve than the field over the previous five seasons, the Seattle Seahawks signed Lemieux to their practice squad on Sept. 18, 2025. But he finished the season on their practice squad IR, effectively ending his career.

“I am thankful for the game,” Lemieux wrote on LinkedIn. “I’ve dedicated my life to football, and it has rewarded me immensely. But I’ve always seen myself as more than a football player, and I’m ready to show the world just that.”