BERKELEY – After a dominant, decade-long international career in both 7s and XVs, two-time U.S. Olympian and former Golden Bear standout Danny Barrett announced his retirement from playing professional rugby on Tuesday afternoon.
 
"Thank you, rugby, for all you have done," Barrett said in his official statement. "It's time that I call it a career and move into the next chapter. Thank you for the learnings, the memories, the friendships, relationships, and family you have given me. I had some of the best times of my life because of you. You gave me a beautiful wife Megan, a beautiful daughter, a friend group anyone would be jealous of, and more scars than I can count. You have been gracious to my family and for that I am forever indebted to you."
 
Barrett came to Berkeley during the 2008-09 academic year and played for California rugby through the 2013 season, during which he became a letterwinner, a three-time national champion and an All-American in both 7s and XVs. He helped Cal win back-to-back national XVs championships in 2010 and 2011 and led the program to its first national title in the Olympic style of the game in 2013 when the Bears clinched the 7s Collegiate Rugby Championship, the first of Cal's  five-consecutive CRC championship titles between 2013 and 2017. The Pacifica native received his bachelor's degree in American studies before immediately signing with the USA 7s program to jumpstart his international playing career.
 
Barrett made his international debut in 2014 at the Las Vegas 7s, the first of 54 appearances he would go on to make in World Rugby Sevens Series events. Although known for his performance in 7s play, he was selected to the Rugby World Cup USA team to play the 15-a-side version of the game at the RWC 2015 in the United Kingdom. Earlier in 2014, he also started as the No. 8 in the historic clash between the All-Blacks and the Eagles at a packed Soldier Field in Chicago.  
 
In 2016, Barrett made his Olympic debut at the Summer Games in Rio when the 7s form of rugby returned as an Olympic Sport. He scored four tries for the U.S. during the three-day tournament, racking up points against Argentina, Brazil, Spain and the eventual gold medalist Fiji.
 
Following his impressive Olympic performance, Barrett continued his commanding career on the international 7s circuit and earned a spot on the 2017 World Rugby Sevens Dream Team. He earned a selection to the Rugby World Cup Sevens squad in 2018 and in 2019 and he received a "Mark of Excellence" award from World Rugby for a try he scored against New Zealand at the Cape Town 7s.
 
His efforts in 2019 helped the Eagles earn an automatic qualification for the Tokyo Olympics and Barrett punched his own ticket to the 2021 Summer Games to make his second appearance in Olympic competition. He scored a try in the quarterfinals against Great Britain and helped the Eagles to a sixth-place finish. For the last two years, Barrett has played for the Houston SaberCats, a Major League Rugby organization.
 
Barrett retires from the pitch tied for fifth-most USA appearances on the sevens circuit and an unmatched reputation as a Team USA powerhouse. He will now turn his focus to his new role as Executive Director of the Golden Eagles Association, a nonprofit that supports the Men's and Women's USA 7s squads on their international competition circuits.
 
"What an unbelievably legendary career," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "At the culmination of Danny's playing days, it's impossible not to think about the entire Barrett family. His mother and father made such a wonderful mark on Cal rugby with three sons in the program. His brothers Big Jim and Neill were fantastic players in their own right – both were first XV important players and team leaders. Danny seemed to draft in his older brothers' pursuit of rugby, but his athleticism, quickness and power set him apart from all others early in his rugby career. As Danny's rugby improved, so did his mentality. He matured into such a physical force, but I believe it was his competitive mentality on the professional and Olympic stage which he'll be remembered for most. Our University congratulates Danny Barrett on what will be a Hall of Fame career."  
 
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