An HBCU alum who set a combine record for fastest 40-yard dash time by a lineman is calling it a career.
Terron Armstead, who was a three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, announced his retirement from the NFL this past weekend. Armstead played 12 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins.
“This was always more than a game to me! This has literally been my LIFE,” Armstead posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Saturday evening. “I look back at my entire journey and I walk away grateful, proud, excited, and at peace, knowing I did it the right way!! Full investment to maximize the blessings God gave me!!”
This was always more than a game to me! This has literally been my LIFE! I look back at my entire journey and I walk away grateful, proud, excited, and at peace, knowing I did it the right way!! Full investment to maximize the blessings God gave me!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5Es4cTaVXu
— T. Stead 🎤🎧 (@T_Armstead72) April 7, 2025
Armstead, a native of Cahokia, Illinois, made three-consecutive all-SWAC teams as an offensive tackle for the Golden Lions, leading UAPB to a SWAC championship in 2012. He also competed in track & field in the shot put, discus throw and hammer throw.
Following his college career, Armstead ran a 4.71 40-yard time, the fastest for any lineman at the time since the beginning of timing the dash in 1982.
That earned Armstead a third-round draft selection by the Saints, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career. Armstead earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2018 before spending the last three seasons of his career with the Dolphins.
All told, Armstead played in 135 games in 12 seasons, starting 131 of those contests and making five Pro Bowl appearances.
