C.J. Uzomah explains his easy decision to retire a Cincinnati Bengal

C.J. Uzomah as a Bengal on Aug. 24, will soon come to a TV near you after he hangs up his cleats.

The Uzomah played seven seasons for the Bengals and caught 163 passes for 1,591 yards and 13 touchdowns. He played a significant role on the Bengals’ 2021 team that reached the February 2022 Super Bowl in Los Angeles.

Following the successful Super Bowl run in Cincinnati, Uzomah cashed in on a three-year contract with the New York Jets worth $24 million. He played two seasons with the Jets before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.

Uzomah spent the last two years of his life getting married, having a daughter and finding his new home base. The timing to drive up to Cincinnati and retire a Bengal didn’t feel right until now.

According to Uzomah, there was never a debate on which team he would retire with; it just was a matter of time. Uzomah said he called his agent and asked him to start conversations with the Bengals to make it happen ahead of the season.

“Truthfully even when I left, I was like I want to end my career in Cincinnati,” Uzomah saiad. “The timing worked out well with Cincinnati and it was just time.”

With the 157th pick in the 2015 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select CJ Uzomah, Tight End, Auburn
The rest is history 🏆

History has a way of repeating itself and there’s no place I’d want to formally announce my retirement, than the place that started it all for me and gave… — CJ Uzomah (@cj_uzomah)

When Uzomah reflects on his 10-year career in the NFL, he’s most proud of the teammate he was and the impact he made in the locker room.

His infectious personality made him a trusted teammate and fan favorite during some challenging years in Cincinnati.

“I was just myself,” Uzomah said. “I think I just let my personality show. I gave it my all and tried my best and thankfully that was enough for most parts. I think (the fans) respected that in a way that I was just having fun and performing well.”

In addition to taking on some broadcasting responsibilities this fall, Uzomah has some other business ventures in the works, including investing in a TV show and writing a script for a Broadway play.

Although Uzomah is entering a new chapter in his life, he’ll always be fond of his time in Cincinnati and look back on his career with immense gratitude to the organization that took a chance on him in 2015 when they drafted him in the fifth round out of Auburn University.

“I’ll always feel like I’m at home here,” Uzomah said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: