Former Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva has retired from football after one season with the Ravens.
Villanueva, 33, was placed on the reserve/retired list by the Ravens on Wednesday, nearly a year after signing the two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle to a two-year deal in free agency in 2021.
A former captain in the Army Rangers who did three tours of duty in Afghanistan, Villanueva had tryouts with the Bengals and Eagles before landing in Pittsburgh following his release by Philadelphia after the 2014 preseason.
Villanueva had played wide receiver, tight end and offensive line at Army and the Steelers allowed him to settle in at offensive tackle, where be would blossom with his 6-foot-9 frame.
But he wasn't a natural 300-pound player. As can be seen in a photo posted by former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley last week, Villanueva has trimmed down considerably from his playing days.
Had great night with two of my favorites Al Villanueva and David Decastro ! #pittsburgh #nfl pic.twitter.com/PNME5MkLXh
— Todd Haley (@thetoddhaley) February 25, 2022
After spending the 2014 season on the practice squad, Villanueva rose to starter status midway through the 2015 season and didn't leave the lineup, never missing a start from 2016 through last season, when he left as a free agent. He earned Pro Bowl berths in 2017 and 2018.
In 2017 in a game in Chicago, Villanueva was the only member of the Steelers to be near the field during the playing of the national anthem. The rest of his teammates had agreed to remain in the tunnel due to controversy surrounding players kneeling during the national anthem. But Villanueva, while still technically in the tunnel, could be seen on the edge of the playing field with his hand over his heart.
With the retirements of Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro in the previous two seasons, Villanueva's retirement means the unit that was the cornerstone for the Steelers from 2015 through 2020 are now all out of the league.
