Republished with permission from 7220sports.com
LARAMIE -- "The Governor" will not be seeking re-election.
Logan Wilson, who earned that warranted nickname during his college career at the University of Wyoming, publicly announced Wednesday on social media he is retiring after a six-year stint in the NFL.
"I'm in a great headspace about it all," Wilson, 29, told 7220sports.com late last week. "I've been blessed to play this long. I want to be healthy, playing with my kids, pain free. That's way more important to me."
The Casper product was a third-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2020. He appeared in 76 games there at the linebacker spot before requesting a trade mid-way through last season. Wilson was shipped to Dallas for what would become the final seven outings of a very productive career.
Wilson picked off 11 passes during the first four seasons of his career, none bigger than the deflection he hauled in off the right arm of Tannehill to knock off top-seeded Tennessee on the road in the AFC Divisional round in 2021.
Cincinnati would go on to beat Kansas City in overtime in the conference title game clinch a berth in Super Bowl LVI.
The Bengals would eventually drop that contest to the Los Angeles Rams, 23-20. Though Wilson led the Bengals with nine tackles, he'll always been remembered for a controversial holding call on wide receiver Cooper Kupp late in the fourth quarter, which extended the game-winning drive.
There was redemption in the following January.
With Baltimore on the move late in regulation, back-up quarterback Tyler Huntley attempted to stretch the ball passed the goal line to give the visitors a late lead.
Instead, Wilson poked the ball free before it touched the white stripe and teammate Sam Hubbard scooped and scored from 98 yards out, giving the Bengals a 24-17 victory and a second-straight berth in the AFC Championship game.
Wilson capped his career in the Queen City with four straight seasons of 100-plus tackles, including a career high of 135 in 2023. He added 5.5 sacks to his 565 total stops and forced seven fumbles.
"Cincinnati will always mean a lot to me," Wilson penned on Wednesday. "Teammates, coaches, staff and fans made those years unforgettable. That 2021 playoff run was something special: the interception in Tennessee to send us to the AFC Championship, beating Kansas City and taking the field in the Super Bowl. Those moments and that locker room are something I'll carry with me forever. and the best part of it all, my daughter was born there. I'm also thankful for the opportunity to finish this season in Dallas and for the way that locker room welcomed me in.
"When I look back on my career, I just feel grateful. Not many Wyoming kids get the chance to live out their dream in the NFL, and I never took a snap for granted."
Wilson, who was a standout at Natrona County High School, was moved from the secondary to linebacker when he arrived in Laramie back in 2015. He adapted quickly, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year honors the following fall. Along with the likes of Josh Allen, Andrew Wingard, Brian Hill and many others, Wyoming would punch its ticket to the conference title game.
Wilson was three times named All-Mountain West and after his senior campaign earned the title of Second-Team All-American by USA Today. That happens when you tally 105 tackles, including 8.5 for loss, including four interceptions and a forced fumble in a 13-game season.
That four year run on the high plains consisted of 421 combined tackles, 35 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 10 interceptions and four forced and recovered fumbles.
"I also want to thank my friends and family for the support they've given me every step of the way," Wilson wrote. "To my wife, my daughter, my mom, my dad and my sister -- none of this would have been possible without you. Now, I'm excited for what's ahead: more time with family, new fitness challenges and the next chapter of my life."
Wilson said he is currently buying a house in northern Colorado and looks forward to being present on Saturdays in Laramie. He's hoping he can help out the program in anyway he can, he added.
"It's been a ton of fun," Wilson told 7220sports.com. "If you told me in high school I'd go on to play six years in the NFL at linebacker, I'd never believe you."
