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‘I am proud to retire a Steeler’: Vance McDonald announces he’s leaving the NFL

PITTSBURGH — After eight seasons in the NFL, Steelers tight end Vance McDonald is retiring from football.

“My family and I are so grateful for everything NFL football has provided us in our life—all the memories both good and the difficult, the relationships and friends we’ve made along the way, the life lessons the game provided both me and my loved ones,” McDonald said. “It’s always been our dream and mission to leverage the platform given us through the NFL to help serve and uplift others along the way, and we will continue to find ways to serve others as we begin this next chapter of our lives. I am proud to retire a Steeler.”

Pittsburgh acquired McDonald in a trade with San Francisco prior to the start of the 2017 season. He played in 53 games and caught 117 passes for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns over the last four seasons with the Steelers. In 2018, McDonald registered a career-best 50 receptions for 610 years and four touchdowns in 15 games played.

“I am appreciative of Vance’s contributions during the last four years of his career that he spent in Pittsburgh,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “He was a class act on and off the field, leading many of our efforts in the community while also being a voice for our social justice efforts and the community work during the pandemic. I wish he and his family nothing but the best in his retirement and his continued work to be a pillar in the community.”

Alongside Convoy of Hope, McDonald has collaborated with the Steelers to create “Huddle for the holidays” which provided free healthcare services, haircuts, shoes, winter gear, job services, groceries and gifts to more than 500 families.

When Covid-19 pandemic struck, McDonald again partnered with Convoy of Hope to create the “Trucks of Hope” campaign, which brought trucks of food, PPE equipment and cleaning supplies to more than 3,000 families.