Former Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz announced his retirement from football after playing for nine seasons.
Schwartz has not played in a game since 2020 due to a season-ending back surgery, which snapped a streak of 134 consecutive starts. The Chiefs cut him after the 2020 campaign.
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The Life of Mitchell Schwartz Before the NFL
Schwartz grew up in West Los Angeles, CA, and attended Palisades Charter High School. As a senior, he earned Prepstar 2006 All-West Region honors and was awarded the 2006 California Interscholastic Federation LA City Offensive Lineman of the Year and the 2006 Western League Lineman of the Year.
He signed to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley. Schwartz chose the Bears over schools like Stanford, Tennessee, and Michigan.
After redshirting his freshman year in 2007, he started every game from 2008-11 and missed only one snap. He represented the left tackle position on the first-team All-Pac-12 in his senior year. After graduating, the Golden Bear alumni declared for the NFL Draft.
Mitchell Schwartz’s NFL Journey
The Cleveland Browns selected the O-lineman in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played every offensive snap at right tackle in his four-year tenure for the Browns.
Schwartz signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 offseason. His contract made him one of the highest-paid right tackles in the league. Schwartz was an All-Pro from 2016-2019, receiving the First-team All-Pro accolade in 2018.
His streak of 7,894 consecutive offensive snaps ended after injuring his knee in a matchup with the Tennessee Titans in 2019. It was the longest streak among active NFL players. Schwartz still did not miss a game that year and won the Super Bowl in Kansas City. CBS placed Schwartz on their NFL All-Decade team.
During a midseason practice in 2020, the OT injured his back. He aggravated it during their game against the Bills. Schwartz underwent back surgery and missed the first game of his NFL career. It would be the last time he suited up for an organization.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound O-lineman was consistent and always available. Not missing a contest for eight seasons as a right tackle is incredible. The best ability for an athlete is availability.
“I’ve enjoyed so much about my time in the NFL and am walking away feeling very fulfilled. Winning the Super Bowl was the pinnacle of my career. My 7,894 consecutive snaps streak and four All-Pro nominations are my proudest individual accomplishments, far exceeding my own expectations.”
-Mitchell Schwartz