ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Tyler Polumbus is retiring on top. The veteran of eight NFL seasons announced his retirement in a Facebook post Tuesday.
Polumbus helped his hometown Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50 by subbing at left and right tackle over the last half of the season following his release from the Atlanta Falcons last season.
The zone-blocking specialist went to Cherry Creek High School a few miles away from Broncos headquarters before starring at the University of Colorado. He also played for Washington and Seattle during his NFL career.
Polumbus got extensive work at right tackle in the season finale against San Diego when he replaced starter Michael Schofield in the third quarter. Although his entrance was overshadowed by Peyton Manning subbing for Brock Osweiler, Polumbus played a crucial role in helping to stabilize the offense as the Broncos came back to beat the Chargers and earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Polumbus thanked his college coaches for taking a chance on a kid who needed lots of "PB&Js to gain weight" and his coaches in the NFL, particularly Mike Shanahan, who "took a huge leap of faith in a developmental tackle that would need some time to mature into a starter in the NFL."
He played in 117 games, counting playoffs, including 60 starts.
Among the many others Polumbus thanked was his older brother Walker, who died last year "and did not get a chance to see the culmination and pinnacle of my career at the Super Bowl here on Earth but I know you were watching every moment from Heaven. Thanks for being my biggest fan."
