Derrick Morgan

On July 15, 2019, Morgan announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons. He finished his career with 44.5 sacks, sixth all-time in Titans history (including the Houston Oilers era) at the time of his retirement.

In 2018, Morgan played in 13 games with 12 starts, recording 25 tackles, three pass deflections, and a career-low 0.5 sacks. He missed three games due to knee and shoulder injuries.

Morgan tallied a career-high 59 quarterback pressures in 2017. His 7.5 sacks was the second-best season total of his career.

During a 2017 game against the Houston Texans, Morgan wore a pair of cannabis-themed cleats as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign. The cleats promoted Realm of Caring Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting medical cannabis research.

Thanks to Morgan's chef wife, Charity, he transitioned to a fully plant-based vegan diet in early 2017. The couple has convinced several other Tennessee Titans into making the change as well.

Morgan registered a team-high 56 quarterback pressures and career-high 9.0 sacks in 2016. The 9.0 sacks tied him for ninth highest in the AFC.

Morgan follows the lead of Eugene Monroe, who in March 2016 became the first active NFL player to openly advocate for the league to change its cannabis policy. Morgan and Monroe appeared together in a June 2016 interview with Katie Couric, the first time Morgan had spoken on the subject.

In November 2016, the NFL Player's Association announced the formation of a committee to study issues of pain management among players, including the use of cannabis as treatment. Morgan was named as a founding member of the committee.

Also in November 2016, Morgan was among the signatories of an open letter addressed to the NFL, urging a change in the league's policy towards cannabis. The letter was penned by Doctors for Cannabis Regulation and signed by several other NFL players.

Morgan graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in business management. In 2016 he graduated from the University of Miami's Executive MBA for Artists and Athletes program.

Morgan had a notable start to the 2015 season, recording 4.5 sacks in the first four games. During the sixth game he suffered a shoulder injury, however. He played through the injury the next four games, then was shut down for the rest of the season. He had surgery on December 15 to repair a torn left labrum.

Morgan delivered his second child at home in April 2015.

During his first year at linebacker in 2014, Morgan led the Titans with 6.5 sacks while starting all 16 games. He also set career highs in tackles (82), quarterback pressures (26), tackles for loss (13), passes defensed (9), and forced fumbles (2). He was rated as the eighth-best 3-4 outside linebacker by Pro Football Focus.

Morgan played at the 4–3 defensive end position his first four seasons with the Titans, then switched to outside linebacker in 2014 as part of the team's transition to a 3–4 defense. Morgan has remained a starter on the Titans defense since 2011.

Morgan was second on the Titans with 6 sacks in 2013.

Morgan wore the uniform number 90 until changing to 91 prior to the start of the 2012 season.

In 2012, Morgan led the Titans with 6.5 sacks and 19 quarterback pressures while starting all 16 games. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league's fourth best 4-3 defensive end.

Morgan made his first NFL start on the seventh game of the 2011 season and remained a starter for the rest of the year. He led the team with 20 quarterback pressures. During the preseason he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee but missed only the first regular season game.

In 2011, Morgan participated in a 24-day charity mission to deliver 22,000 hearing aids to children and adults in need across Africa.

Morgan was selected 16th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a six-year contract on July 31, 2010, which also included playing time incentives that later voided the final year. He signed a second contract (4-year, $30 million) with the Titans on March 13, 2015, after fielding interest from multiple teams as a free agent.

Morgan played in the 2010 season opener, registering a sack in his first NFL game. He suffered a torn left ACL during the fourth game, however, ending his rookie season.

Morgan attended the Georgia Institute of Technology from 2007 to 2009, playing for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the Atlantic Coast Conference. As a true freshman in 2007 he appeared in 12 of 13 games, recording 9 tackles as a reserve defensive end. The following year as a sophomore he started all 13 games, contributing 51 tackles and 7 sacks while earning an honorable mention All-ACC selection. As a junior in 2009, Morgan was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-American honors from Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, and Scout.com. He finished the season with 55 tackles (including 18.5 for a loss) and 12.5 sacks while helping his team to a conference championship. After his junior year Morgan decided to enter the 2010 NFL draft.

Derrick Lee Morgan (born January 6, 1989) is a former American football linebacker who spent his entire nine-year pro career playing for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected 16th overall by the Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft after playing college football at Georgia Tech.