Santa Clara, CA – December 6, 2025. For nearly a decade, he was one of the 49ers’ most trusted warriors — a quiet cornerstone of the offense whose toughness and reliability helped shape some of the franchise’s most physical teams of the past decade.
He wasn’t the star whose numbers filled highlight reels. He wasn’t the player the cameras chased after games. Instead, he was the one doing the uncelebrated work. The edge-sealing blocks that sprung long runs.
The blitz pickups that kept quarterbacks upright. The gritty, punishing plays that don’t show up on stat sheets but win games in the trenches.
That man is Garrett Celek, the tight end who wore red and gold from 2012 to 2019, carving out a respected eight-year career defined by toughness and selflessness. Along the way, he produced 82 receptions, 1,104 yards, and 12 touchdowns — numbers that only hint at how much he meant to the organization.
“Wearing red and gold taught me pride, resilience, and what it means to fight for something bigger than yourself. Santa Clara has given me everything, and now I wear the police badge to protect its people and this community with everything I’ve got,”
Celek said.
Celek’s NFL journey ended earlier than anyone hoped. A lingering back injury limited him to five games in 2019, and multiple procedures couldn’t restore him to full strength. In 2020, at just 31 years old, he made the painful decision to retire — closing a chapter built on grit, discipline, and team-first mentality.
For 49ers fans, his departure was personal. Celek was a locker-room glue guy, a player respected not for flash but for consistency and sacrifice. He embraced roles others avoided and played with a relentless edge that perfectly matched the identity of the franchise during his tenure.
Now, the man once known for holding the line in the trenches is holding the line in an entirely new way.
Celek has officially joined the Santa Clara Police Department
, stepping into a life of public service just miles from Levi’s Stadium, where he once fought for every inch on the field. His teammates always said his leadership would translate anywhere — now, he’s proving them right.
In Santa Clara, people who once admired his blocks, toughness, and touchdowns now see him serve with the same devotion and pride.
For Garrett Celek, the jersey may be different, but the mission is the same. The fight continues.
Celek đã chính thức gia nhập Sở Cảnh sát Santa Clara, bước vào cuộc đời phục vụ công chúng chỉ cách Sân vận động Levi’s vài dặm, nơi anh từng chiến đấu từng centimet trên sân.
Eagles Bring Back Veteran Pass Rusher 24 Hours After Release
Philadelphia, PA – November 6, 2025
Just one day after parting ways with a key rotational piece, the Philadelphia Eagles
have moved swiftly to bring back a familiar face, re-signing a veteran pass rusher to their practice squad on Wednesday. The move reflects general manager Howie Roseman’s ongoing commitment to roster depth and locker-room continuity during the team’s push for another championship.
It comes just after Nolan Smith’s 21-day practice window opened following a triceps injury that had sidelined him for several weeks. With Smith set to return, Philadelphia adjusted its defensive depth chart — but not without ensuring that valuable experience stayed in the building.
That experience belongs to Patrick Johnson, who has suited up in 56 of his 68 career games for the Eagles. Known for his relentless motor and team-first mentality, Johnson recorded three tackles across contests against the Giants and Vikings earlier this season before his brief release earlier this week.
This quiet but calculated move follows one of the busiest trade deadlines in recent memory for the Eagles, who added Jaelan Phillips, Michael Carter II, and Jaire Alexander
to an already formidable defense. While those blockbuster trades turned heads, it’s the subtle roster decisions — like retaining Johnson — that often define championship-caliber teams.
Sources close to the team say
defensive coordinator Vic Fangio strongly advocated to keep Johnson in the system, citing his work ethic and deep understanding of Fangio’s scheme. “Depth wins in December,” one insider noted. “And Patrick’s the kind of guy who gives you that edge when it matters most.”
With a loaded roster and a clear path toward another playoff run, the Eagles once again prove that sustained success isn’t built on headlines alone — it’s built on culture, chemistry, and the quiet resilience of players like Patrick Johnson.
