Markus Golden, well, he’s a name some folks might remember from around the NFL. Now, mind you, he ain’t no stranger to hard work, and he sure put in his fair share. Started out in 2015 when the Arizona Cardinals drafted him. From there, well, he didn’t look back. That boy sure knew how to get to the quarterback, like a hound dog after a rabbit. Played in 127 games and started 68 of ’em, which ain’t too shabby, if you ask me.
Golden’s numbers don’t lie. Over the years, he racked up 343 tackles, 51 sacks, and 68 tackles for a loss. Now, that’s what I call putting in the work. He also forced 11 fumbles and picked up six fumble recoveries. That’s a lot of dirty work, and let me tell ya, it’s that kind of thing that helps win games. You can’t always see it, but when you got a player like Golden, you know he’s doing his part to make sure the other team ain’t gettin’ too comfy.
He spent most of his career with the Arizona Cardinals, but he also had a little stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Signed a couple of contracts with ’em, including a one-year extension in 2022. Now, that’s just good business right there. He didn’t just come in and go out, no sir. He stayed for the long haul, which is rare these days. Ain’t too many folks last that long in the NFL, especially not after a rough season or two. But Golden, well, he knew how to keep himself in the game.
Now, I reckon we can’t forget to mention his retirement. In 2024, he decided it was time to hang up his cleats after a solid 9 seasons in the league. That’s a long time, especially when you’re takin’ hits from big ol’ linemen and tryin’ to keep up with the fastest players on the field. But Markus Golden, he did it. Walked away on his own terms, which ain’t somethin’ everyone can do.
In his final year, Golden was with the Steelers, and even though it wasn’t his best season in terms of sacks, he still made an impact. He had four sacks, six tackles for a loss, and managed to recover a fumble. That’s some good work, if you ask me, even for a seasoned vet like him. He didn’t need to prove nothing to nobody, but he still showed up and did what he was asked to do.
Now, when you hear folks talk about Golden, they always mention how he was a good leader and teammate. Not the loudest guy in the locker room, but he didn’t need to be. He let his play do the talking. And that’s what folks respected about him. You could always count on Markus to give it his all, whether the team was win or lose.
When it comes to his retirement, I’m sure there were some mixed feelings. On one hand, people were glad he could walk away from the game healthy. On the other hand, they knew they’d miss that steady presence on the field. A lot of players come and go, but Golden left a mark. He wasn’t flashy, but he sure was effective. And when the history books get written about the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers, I bet his name will come up more than a few times.
So, here’s to Markus Golden. He gave the NFL everything he had. He played hard, played smart, and gave folks a lot to remember. And though he’s retired now, his legacy, well, it’ll stick around for a good while yet. Ain’t nobody forgettin’ the kind of player he was. He’s a reminder that sometimes, it ain’t all about the flashy stats or the big headlines. Sometimes, it’s just about doin’ your job day in and day out. And that’s what Markus Golden did.
Tags: [Markus Golden, NFL, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, football, linebacker, career, retirement, sacks, tackles]
