Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl center and All-Pro Travis Fredrick has announced his retirement from the NFL.
Fredrick broke the news to the sporting world via Twitter where he stated it’s a decision he has considered for much time.
— Travis Frederick (@tfrederick72) March 23, 2020
The Dallas Cowboys drafted Fredrick in the first round (31st overall) of the 2013 NFL draft after the team traded down in the first round with the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick (used to draft Terrance Williams).
Fredrick was considered the best center in his class by Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, though at the time, the decision for Dallas to select the Wisconsin All-American lineman in the first round was questioned. He was projected to be a second- to third-round selection.
Dallas selected Frederick after watching eight offensive linemen be drafted before him. This decision caused a stir in the media because it was not only seen as a reach, but the trade was also criticized for bringing poor compensation after moving down 13 positions.
Frederick was named a starter from the first day of Organized Team Activities in the preseason, replacing Phil Costa, who had been the starter in the previous two years. He became the first rookie in franchise history to start every game at center and was selected to the NFL All-Rookie team.
He made four straight Pro Bowls from 2014-2017, was selected a two-time second-team All-Pro in 2014 and 2015 before being named first-team All-Pro in 2016.
Frederick announced in mid-August of 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s nervous system in response to illness.
On September 3, 2018, Frederick was not placed on injured reserve to start the 2018 season.
He was inactive for the first four games before inevitably being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on October 6, 2018.
Joe Looney, who was among the first three deals to get done this offseason, became Fredrick’s replacement for that year.
Fredrick returned to the field this past season and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl after missing an entire year of football activities. He started all 16 games for the Cowboys in 2019.
Who would have thought a pick that was seen as a “reach” in 2013 would turn into one of the best stories in all of football. Best of luck to Travis Fredrick moving forward.
a statement from Jerry Jones on Frederick’s retirement: pic.twitter.com/owsauwOnnG
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) March 23, 2020
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