Sports

Former Hawkeye Nate Kaeding Announces Retirement from NFL

Kaeding, an Iowa City native, played nine seasons in the National Football League.


Nate Kaeding decided that nine years of professional football was enough.

Kaeding the former Hawkeye, local business owner, and Iowa City West High School graduate announced his retirement today.

K Nate Kaeding says he's retiring (CBS Sports)

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Kaeding suffered an ACL tear in the first game of the 2011 season and a debilitating groin injury last season, and after signing with Tampa Bay in the offseason, he reinjured his groin a few days ago. And that pretty much made his decision for him.

Thus, the two-time Pro Bowler leaves behind a career, mostly for the Chargers, in which he made 86.19 percent of his field goal attempts -- making him the fourth-most-accurate kicker of all time.

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Kaeding still has several local ties in Iowa City, including having ownership stakes in Short's Burger and Shine restaurant in Iowa City and Stella's restaurant in University Heights.

Bryce Miller of the Des Moines Register has a good interview with Kaeding about his future plans.


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