BREAKING NEWS: Rhamondre Stevenson Quits Football to Focus on 2026 Olympics
In a shocking turn of events, New England Patriots star running back Rhamondre Stevenson has officially announced his retirement from professional football to pursue a lifelong dream: competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Stevenson, 27, made the announcement via social media early Friday morning, stating, “After deep reflection and conversations with those closest to me, I’ve decided to step away from football to dedicate myself fully to training for the 2026 Olympics. This has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and the time to chase it is now.”
While the specific Olympic event Stevenson plans to compete in has not yet been revealed, sources close to the player suggest he is targeting a spot on Team USA’s bobsled team—a route previously pursued by other former football players such as Herschel Walker and Johnny Quinn.
The decision comes as a major surprise to both fans and the Patriots organization. Stevenson, drafted by New England in 2021, had established himself as a cornerstone of the offense and was expected to be a key contributor in the upcoming season under new head coach Jerod Mayo.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a brief statement: “We are grateful for everything Rhamondre brought to this team—his leadership, his drive, and his passion. While we’re sad to see him leave the game, we support his decision to chase an Olympic dream and wish him the very best.”