Former 49ers and Bears star Robbie Gould retires from the NFL… 41-year-old kicker – who ranks 10th all-time in scoring – calls time on his career after 18 seasons: ‘Ready for this next stage’

Robbie Gould announced his retirement Thursday after 18 seasons in the NFL, during which he became the 10th highest point scorer in history.

The 41-year-old has amassed 1,961 points (10th all-time) and 447 field goals (eighth) during his time in the league, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.

“While football has been a major part of my life for the past eighteen years, it is with the utmost respect and appreciation that I officially announce my retirement from the National Football League,” he wrote on the Players' Tribune.

'Great things in life can't last forever. Everything is temporary,” he added on social media on Thursday.

“Having the kind of playing career experience I had in the NFL was nothing short of amazing, and my gratitude for the journey – the ups, the downs, the in-between – is immeasurable. In short, my NFL story is hard to believe, and it's full of a plethora of 'pinch-me' moments.”

He added: And now? Good thing, too. My favorite team was waiting at home for me to join them full-time – no contract necessary. I am happy that I can be more present with my family and focus all my attention on what is important to me outside of football.

'My career has of course filled my agenda for a long time and my wife has taken the reins at home. My oldest is ten years old, and I've been away from him for nine years. My youngest two boys are eight and five. For most of their lives, Dad wasn't fully present. So I am ready for this next phase of life without interruption.'

Gould went undrafted in the 2005 NFL draft but was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots, then the defending Super Bowl champions.

That same year, he had a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens before briefly working construction in his native Pennsylvania.

Later in 2005, Gould was signed by the Bears and he would remain in Chicago for eleven seasons, becoming the franchise's all-time leading point scorer.

“From start to finish, I loved everything about my time in Chicago,” Gould wrote.

“We've had some deep playoff runs and made a lot of memories. (Owners) The McCaskey family gave me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream, and it was an honor to play for them.

“Ultimately, I hope we made Bears fans proud. They deserve it.'

The kicker joined the Giants in 2016 before being signed as a free agent after Kyle Shanahan joined the 49ers. He spent five years in San Francisco until 2022 and did not miss a single kick in the playoffs throughout his career.