Rams safety who came out of retirement for the playoffs immediately 're-retired' after winning the Super Bowl

• Rams safety Eric Weddle had been retired for 2 years when he joined the Rams for their playoff run.
• Weddle played admirably over four games and won a Super Bowl.

Eric Weddle's return to the NFL was short-lived, but glorious.

The 37-year-old safety came out of retirement to give the Rams defense a boost for the postseason and concluded it with a Super Bowl win on Sunday.

Weddle's return was something of a shocker – he had been retired for two years, with very little buzz that he was planning a comeback. Weddle had last played with the Rams in 2019, losing to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl before retiring.

However, Weddle performed admirably in his four playoff games with the Rams, posting 11 solo tackles and 1 tackle for a loss. Perhaps more importantly, Rams players and coaches credited him with immediately becoming a leader upon joining the team.

After winning the Super Bowl, Weddle shot down any rumors of a further comeback.

"I'm re-retiring," Weddle told reporters after the game. "It was pretty much set in stone. So, yeah, I'll go back to my daily life."

During the Super Bowl, NBC's Al Michaels referenced Weddle playing pickup basketball in San Diego the last two years while away from the NFL.

In his postgame press conference, Weddle thanked the Rams defensive coaches, calling it a "wild and crazy idea" to return.

Indeed, Weddle didn't have much time to ponder a return. According to Patrick Finley of The Chicago Sun-Times, when the Rams called Weddle before the playoffs, they gave him six hours to decide if he wanted to return. Weddle, who had stayed in shape, said yes and joined the team five days before the Wild Card game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Weddle got banged up in the Super Bowl, landing awkwardly on his chest and tearing his pectoral, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

After the game, Weddle was asked on NFL Network if winning the Super Bowl felt better than playing pickup basketball.

"Well, the way my pec is feeling right now, no," Weddle said, laughing.

While speaking to ESPN's Dianna Russini after the game, Weddle again confirmed he is done playing in the NFL.

"I'm outta here, baby. I'm re-retiring," Weddle said. "What a five-week run for me and this group of men. I'm entrenched in history now."