Former Colts Offensive Guard Hugh Thornton Announces Retirement

Former Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Hugh Thornton announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday–only as a member of the Atlanta Falcons:

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/862022399549726721

Originally a 2013 third round pick of the Colts, the 6’3″, 320 pound offensive guard made 32 starts for the Colts from 2013-15. However, he simply couldn’t stay healthy, as he missed all of 2016 on injured reserve because of an ankle injury–finishing a consecutive season on IR.

Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Hugh Thornton (69) in action against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Thornton’s time with the Colts was maligned by both injuries, as well as inconsistency–having never started in all 16 games during the course of a season.

The 25 year old occasionally showed flashes of potential and the makings of what made him a former 3rd round pick, but he couldn’t quite put it all together on a week-to-week basis.

Along with Colts starting left guard Jack Mewhort, Thornton was one of the few early round draft selections by former general manager Ryan Grigson (at least until 2016). Unlike Mewhort; however, Thornton simply struggled staying healthy and those setbacks ultimately hindered his development for the Colts franchise.

He was given another chance with the Falcons, but it appears whether because of injuries or having lost the fire to play anymore that Thornton is calling it quits on his young playing career.

Despite the injuries, Thornton seemed like a good guy, and we wish him well in his future professional endeavors.

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