© Ed Szczepanski | 2015 Dec 20
NaVorro Bowman will retire as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. He announced as much today, when he visited the team headquarters in Santa Clara, and revealed his decision to permanently step away from the NFL.
Bowman, 31, was a four-time first team All-Pro with the 49ers from 2011-2013 and in 2015, after being selected in the third round of the 2010 draft out of Penn State. Bowman missed all of 2014 after sustaining a gruesome knee injury in the 2013 NFC Championship Game vs. the Seahawks. The 49ers made it to three consecutive NFC Championship Games from 2011-2013 with Bowman and Patrick Wills as one of the best middle linebacker duos in NFL history.
San Francisco released Bowman on Oct. 13, 2018, and the linebacker went on to play his final 10 games with the Oakland Raiders.
“NaVorro gave his heart and soul to this team for the last eight years, and for that we are all extremely grateful,” John Lynch said at the time of Bowman’s release via the 49ers. “During that time, NaVorro was a key component of one of the best teams in the league, and his passion for the game allowed him to quickly become a favorite of our Faithful fans.”
Bowman finished his eight-year career with 877 total tackles, 16.5 sacks, five interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries. He also had one career touchdown in the final ever game at Candlestick Park, an 89-yard game clinching interception return vs. the Falcons.
The 49ers could not sign Bowman to a one-day contract because their roster is full.