After an eventful five seasons on the gridiron, former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel has decided to retire from the NFL.
The announcement was made by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay on a Saturday.
Since being drafted as the Patriots’ first-round selection (no. 31 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft, Michel had his fair share of highs and lows.
Notably, he played a crucial role in New England’s triumphant run to victory in Super Bowl LIII, even setting an NFL record for rushing touchdowns in the postseason with an impressive six.
However, injuries and inconsistency occasionally marred his time with the Patriots.
Despite the challenges, Michel proved to be a productive running back for New England, amassing 2,689 rushing yards on 620 carries and scoring 20 touchdowns over three seasons.
Nonetheless, the 2021 season marked a turning point as the team declined Michel’s fifth-year contract option, signaling his impending departure.
Subsequently, Michel was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in August in exchange for draft picks in the 2022 Draft.
During the 2021 season with the Rams, he managed 845 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, along with 128 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
In May 2022, Michel briefly signed with the Miami Dolphins, only to join the Los Angeles Chargers later that August.
His journey led him back to the Rams in June 2023 for a second stint, but ultimately, he has chosen to retire at the age of 28.
As he hangs up his cleats, fans and teammates alike will remember his significant contributions to the game throughout his career.
Sony Michel Family
Michel’s parents immigrated from Haiti a year after welcoming their older daughter, Lamise, into the world.
Growing up, Michel attended the American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where his athletic prowess began to shine.
Even in his eighth-grade year, he secured the starting position as the running back for the American Heritage Patriots.
Throughout his high school career, he showcased his exceptional talent, rushing for an impressive 4,758 yards and scoring 63 touchdowns over three years on the varsity team.
In addition to football, Michel demonstrated his versatility by participating in track and field at American Heritage.
As a sophomore in 2011, he excelled in the 100-meter dash, clocking an impressive time of 10.99 seconds, and the 200-meter dash, with a time of 21.91 seconds, earning him first-place finishes at the FHSAA 2A District Meet.
His skills were further evident when he achieved a personal-best time of 10.64 seconds (wind-aided) in the 100-meter dash at the 3rd Annual Miramar Invitational, securing another first-place victory.
On April 26, 2013, Michel made a significant commitment, announcing his decision to play college football at the University of Georgia.
Little did he know that this choice would mark the beginning of a successful and illustrious journey in the world of football.
Girlfriend
NFL champion Sony Michel took romantic proposals to a whole new level when he decided to pop the question to his fiancée, Lulu Rodrigues, on April 30, 2022.
Sony orchestrated the perfect moment, surrounded by their loved ones, who had gathered under the guise of attending a “gender reveal party” for their upcoming bundle of joy.
As for the proposal itself, Sony’s creative vision came together just an hour before he got down on one knee.
One touching aspect of the plan involved presenting Lulu with flowers, symbolizing a moment of appreciation for her.
He thoughtfully considered who would be the best person to give her the flowers and decided to involve their mothers. Sony’s mom carried the flowers, while Lulu’s mom carried a box containing a heartfelt note.
In May 2019, Sony and Lulu welcomed their daughter named Nuri Michel.
