Carolina Panthers Tight End Greg Olsen announced his retirement following a one-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Olsen, 36, is planning to go into broadcasting following his retirement, even signing a deal with Fox Sports. The former first-round pick out of Miami finished his career with 742 receptions, 8,683 receiving yards, and 60 touchdown catches; possibly leaving the door open for Canton, Ohio one day.
As for his time with the Rebels Organization, Olsen was highly productive, even garnering the nickname “Mr. Rebel” by Coach Matthew Nevers and Owner Hunter Schaal. Greg Olsen was a charter member of the Rebels Franchise, helping them reach the championship game in 2008 when the franchise was known as the Hawaiian Rebels. He would make his return to the franchise midway through the 2013 Season when Rookie General Manager Dan Thompson claimed Olsen off waivers from the now-defunct Dallas Studs. Olsen would remain with the Rebels franchise through the 2016 Season.
In his first full season with the club since 2008, Greg Olsen in 2014, helped lead the California Rebels all the way to a Yuma Bowl VI victory over the Carson City Razorbacks. Along with a Yuma Bowl title, Greg Olsen also ended the 2014 Season as the Rebels Season MVP, an award given to the team’s best player and leader. Olsen would help the Rebels repeat as champions the following season in 2015. Following a productive 2016 Season, the California Rebels made the painful decision to part ways with TE Greg Olsen, beginning with the 2017 Season. The man nicknamed “Mr. Rebel” would never play another game for the Rebels.
Injuries plagued Olsen from 2017-2020, making the decision to retire an easier one. While he may not have been part of the Rebels Organization during those four seasons, Rebel fans and staff, continued to cheer Olsen on wherever he played. “He is “Mr. Rebel” for a reason. He was one of the select individuals that immediately bought into our system, and he flourished because of it.” Coach Matthew Nevers said following Olsen’s retirement news. “We would not have won our first two titles without Greg, especially in 2014; he was not only our MVP that season, but he was also our leader. I cannot wait to see him put on that Gold Jacket in Canton and I cannot wait till he gets inducted into our Ring of Honor.” Nevers said again.
Greg Olsen is first eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026 and first eligible for the Rebels Ring of Honor in 2021 (He’s getting into the Ring of Honor first ballot).
-Dale Walters Rebels Executive Beat Writer
