A Husker legend has decided to hang up his cleats after 13 seasons in the NFL.
On July 12, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh announced his retirement from the NFL on the one-year anniversary of his father’s death.
After 13 seasons in the @NFL, @NdamukongSuh hangs up his cleats. With his retirement, he’ll be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028. pic.twitter.com/n26pnyNUDs
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 14, 2025
Suh played for the Huskers from 2005 to 2009, where he won numerous awards. He was named a Heisman Trophy Finalist in 2009, finishing in fourth place. He was a 2009 unanimous First-Team All-American, 2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and 2009 Associated Press College Player of the year, just to name a few. He finished his Husker career with 215 tackles, 24 sacks, 57 tackles for loss, six blocked kicks and 15 pass breakups.
Former Husker place kicker Adi Kunalic played with Suh for three seasons and said that he was a great teammate on and off the field.
“Suh was quiet, focused, and incredibly intentional with how he carried himself,” Kunalic told Hail Varsity. “He wasn’t the type to be loud in the locker room, but if you spent time with him one-on-one, you saw how thoughtful and sharp he was.”
Kunalic got that opportunity in the weight room. Players had the option to work out at any point in the day, and few of them chose to get their work in early in the morning. Kunalic was one of them, and so was Suh. Sometimes, it was just the two of them.
“He was a junior at that point, already established, but he always went out of his way to talk to me, asking about my family, where I was from. He genuinely took an interest, and that meant a lot. He didn’t need to do that, but he did consistently. He had a quiet leadership style. He built strong, personal relationships with a few guys rather than trying to be the center of everything. And while he kept to himself in some ways, he was always all in on the team. His discipline and commitment showed in everything he did.”
The Detroit Lions drafted Suh with the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons there and also played for the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles. He won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers in 2021, was a three-time first-team All-Pro and was a five-time Pro-Bowler.
Suh’s ability to comprehend the playbook at an accelerated speed set him apart from his peers.
“He looked like he was playing a different game,” Kunalic said. “That senior year in 2009, it felt like he was a man among boys. I remember sitting next to him in a meeting late in the season, and I saw his playbook on the floor. I asked him if he still studied it during the week and he looked at me and said, ‘The playbook’s already in my head. My job’s simple now. If I’m one-on-one, I’m getting to the quarterback, no doubt.’ He said if he got double-teamed, he’d still get there. It might just take a little longer. And even if they triple-teamed him, he still believed he’d find a way.
“That kind of confidence wasn’t just talk. It came from relentless preparation, and a rare level of discipline. That’s what set him apart. The physical tools were obvious, but it was his mindset, his focus and how calculated he was that made him truly different.”
During his senior season at Nebraska, Suh had an outstanding year with multiple game-changing plays. He racked up 85 tackles (20.5 for loss), 28 quarterback hurries, 12 sacks, 10 passes defensed, three blocks kicks, one forced fumble and one interception. Kunalic had a great seat on the sideline to witness the Heisman finalist’s greatest feats.
“Games like Missouri and Texas stand out,” Kunalic said. “Against Missouri, he rag-dolled their quarterback. Against Texas, he tossed Colt McCoy around like he was nothing. He just had this ability to flip a switch — calm, calculated off the field, and then on the field a complete force of nature. His strength, discipline and mentality made him nearly impossible to stop. He treated the game, and himself, like a business. That’s what made him great, and I think that’s exactly what will make him great in this next chapter.”
Now that he’s retired, Suh is looking to continue to make a difference in other’s lives. He recently started a podcast about finances and is helping others in the community. Kunalic said he’s proud of Suh for all that he’s done both on and off the field.
“Starting a podcast, sharing his voice, mindset and knowledge with a wider audience, I’m excited for him,” Kunalic said. “I truly believe he’s going to connect with athletes who are wired like he is — thoughtful, driven, maybe a little more reserved, and show them that there’s real power in leaning into growth, curiosity, and investing in yourself.”
