Tom Brady once summed up Ndamukong Suh in one sentence: “Ndamukong Suh was one of the biggest, fastest, most explosive athletes the league has ever seen.” The GOAT was showing respect for what Suh brought to the table. He wasn’t just a defensive tackle. He was a wrecking ball with a business plan. The kind of guy who’d slam you into next week and still hold the door open for your grandma. From Detroit to Miami to L.A. to Tampa, Ndamukong Suh makes offensive linemen still have flashbacks. Quarterbacks still ice their ribs. And front offices? They always knew Suh came with production, IQ, and a financial portfolio sharper than his swim move.

So when he finally decided to call it a career, he didn’t drop a highlight reel or schedule a press conference. He dropped a letter. Not a ‘thanks to the fans’ template, but a soul-punch on X that started with July 12, 2024 – the day he lost his father.

“July 12, 2024, was the hardest day of my life. It’s the day I said goodbye to my father,” Ndamukong Suh wrote. “He wasn’t just a dad. He was my idol, my coach, and my anchor. He taught me what it meant to be disciplined, focused, and relentless in everything I do.“ Every snap Suh took in the NFL, he says, carried his dad’s fingerprint. So, it wasn’t just a retirement post. It was a tribute, a thank-you letter, and a soft exit from one of football’s fiercest careers.

Suh’s dad was more than a parent. He was a compass. “Every snap I took in football carried his fingerprint. Every time I lined up across from someone, I could hear his voice pushing me, reminding me that I wasn’t just representing myself. I was representing him, my family, my name.” But it was his father’s final words that stuck with him.

“Before he passed, he gave me one final piece of advice, ‘It’s time to let football go. You’ve done everything you set out to do. Now it’s time for the next chapter.'” That sentence marinated in Ndamukong Suh’s mind for a year. On the anniversary of his father’s death, he honored it and walked away. “So today, one year later, I’m honoring that wish. I’m officially retiring from the NFL. I have so many memories to cherish.” Thirteen seasons. Five All-Pro selections. A Super Bowl ring with Tom Brady’s Bucs.

But he left it all on the field – and now he’s stepping into a new arena. “I left it all on the field, and now I’m stepping away with peace and gratitude. Because I’ve been preparing for this moment for years. Football was my passion, but it was never my endgame.” From stomping quarterbacks to stock market strategies – Suh’s next play is about building. And teaching others how to do the same. And such a big praise coming from the GOAT himself proves how good Suh was on the field. But the irony? Suh and Brady were once AFC East enemies. 

Ndamukong Suh and Brady over the years

Ndamukong Suh sacked Brady seven times with the Dolphins. Trash talk was part of the package. Brady said, “I slapped him on the butt and said, ‘Dude, stay out of the f——g backfield today.’ And he goes, ‘I ain’t your f——g friend.'” But the two later teamed up in Tampa and delivered a Super Bowl. In 2020, Suh notched 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Brady threw for 50 touchdowns across the season. Together, they helped the Bucs become the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

But now his next play? Impact. Legacy. Financial education. “My next season is about impact, purpose, and legacy. About helping others build wealth, lead with intention, and create lasting freedom.” After stints with the Rams and Eagles, Suh was still fielding calls in 2023 – from the Ravens, Dolphins, and even talking to Rich Eisen. But nothing clicked. He turned 38 in January. His body and his mind had moved on. “I’ve lived. I’ve learned. I’ve built. I’ve failed. I’ve succeeded. And now I want to share what I’ve learned; especially with athletes, entrepreneurs, and young people navigating life and money.”

That’s where the No Free Lunch podcast comes in. Ndamukong Suh launched the No Free Lunch podcast, a platform focused on wealth-building, real strategy, and teaching athletes how to move smarter, not just harder. “Because freedom doesn’t come from fame, it comes from knowledge and how you move. Now I’m using  my platform to serve something bigger.”

And to the fans? “If you’ve ever followed my journey…Thank you.” And the message for his dad? “Rest in power, Dad. Your mission lives on through me.” The quarterback hunter is done chasing sacks. But now, he’s chasing something even bigger – impact. And that might be his most dangerous pursuit yet. So, rest in power, Big Suh Sr. Your mission clearly lives on.