Ex Jaguars LB Myles Jack wraps up fruitful NFL career, tells Eagles he's retiring

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack signed with Philadelphia Eagles on August 6. Just two weeks later, he's told them stepping away from football, wrapping up what was a fruitful seven-year NFL career.

Jack told Philly his plans to retire Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. The former UCLA Bruin said that he didn't really need the money, having earned over $50 million since the Jags made him a second round-pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. In fact, he said prior to joining the Eagles that he was thinking about attending trade school to either become an electrician or a plumber.

It looks like Jack will get to go to trade school after all. But regardless of what he does, he leaves on a high note. The Arizona native was a collegiate star that suffered a meniscus tear that cut his junior short. He was one of the top collegiate prospects and was projected to go early in the draft but the aforementioned injury made him slide to the second round.

Still, the Jags took a chance on Jack and he went on to become a leader on the defense. Although he didn't make the Pro Bowl, he was consistently one of their most productive players. The most remarkable (and controversial) of his NFL career came under the spotlight, when Jacksonville faced off against the New England Patriots in the 2017 AFC Championship game.

Leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Jack forced running back Dion Lewis to fumble. He promptly scooped it and had a clear path to the end zone. However, he was ruled down. The Jags still got the ball but couldn't take advantage of the turnover and New England went on to win the game.

It's possible that if Jack hadn't been ruled down, the Jaguars would have made it to Super Bowl 52. The fact that 2017 had been the only winning season Jacksonville had had in years and that a bad officiating call hurt their chances of playing in the championship game left a sour taste.

Former Jaguars LB Myles Jack is doing what's best for him

Players are sometimes forced to retire because their previously absurd athletic ability is gone. In Jack's case, he could've kept playing, probably until his body breaks down. Instead, he's hanging up the cleats at a time when he's still can do lots of things with his life.

At 27, Jack can either go to trade school or start a business. But even if he chooses to binge-watch Netflix or play Call of Duty all day long, he's leaving on his own terms, and that's commendable. Whenever he pleases, he can proudly look back and say that he played seven years in the NFL and did it at a high level.

Looking back, Myles Jack was one of the few bright spots for a Jacksonville Jaguars team that wasn't very good, 2017 notwithstanding. This should make his tenure with the Black and Teal even more impressive.

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