Veteran tight end Tony Scheffler has decided to end his NFL playing career. Scheffler tells Larry Lage of The Associated Press that he has decided to retire after sustaining three concussions in the past four years.
Scheffler, 31, was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2006 draft and spent his first four NFL seasons in Denver before joining the Lions for four more years. Over the course of his eight-year career, Scheffler hauled in 258 passes for 3,207 yards and 22 touchdowns. The best season for the Western Michigan product was arguably 2007, when he appeared in all 16 games for the only time, and posted a career-high 49 receptions, for 549 yards and five touchdowns.
Scheffler last appeared in an NFL game for Detroit in October 2013, but was released by the club shortly after suffering his most recent concussion. The tight end later worked out for the Bears and Chiefs, and tells Lage that he received “moderate” interest this offseason, but opted not to pursue another NFL job.
According to Scheffler, his post-NFL plans include becoming a real estate agent and acting as an assistant high school football coach in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan.