Perry Baker, a two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, has announced his retirement from international rugby after a decade with the USA team, which included three Olympic appearances. The 30-year-old player revealed on social media on October 14 that the 2023/24 SVNS season will be his final one.
Baker leaves behind an impressive legacy, having scored 293 tries on the sevens circuit. His announcement garnered respect and admiration from various sports figures, including Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, as well as numerous rivals and representatives from other sevens federations.
Though he is retiring from playing, Baker will remain active in the rugby community as he takes on an assistant coach position with the USA men’s sevens team for the remainder of the year.
In his heartfelt statement, Baker reflected on his ten years representing the USA Men’s 7s program, emphasizing the honor of wearing the national jersey. He expressed gratitude for the experiences, the highs and lows, and the lasting friendships formed through rugby.
Baker thanked the fans, stating that rugby goes beyond being just a sport; it is a family that made him feel welcomed everywhere. He acknowledged the lessons learned from the game, including resilience and teamwork, which he will carry with him into the next chapter of his life.
Starting his rugby journey as a teenager in Florida, Baker initially pursued a career in American football, training with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He returned to rugby in 2014 at the age of 28 and quickly made an impact after joining the national sevens team under coach Mike Friday. Baker’s debut season earned him a nomination for Rookie of the Year.
Over the last decade, he formed an outstanding partnership with fellow player Carlin Isles. Baker’s talent and skills earned him the title of Men’s World Sevens Player of the Year in both 2017 and 2018. He also competed in every Olympic tournament where Rugby Sevens featured, including the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), and the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.