FOXSports.com reports that New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has officially decided to retire from the NFL.
“It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title,” the team’s all-time sack leader said from California. “It’s time. I’m done.”
Strahan finally made up his mind a week ago, but wanted to take the extra days to make sure his feeling on the matter was 100 percent.
He has long believed retirement was the route he would choose but the finality of it gave him problems. In the past two years, Strahan said he has spoken with many high-profile retired players and asked for their advice on retired life, the emotions of the decision and how they knew they were done. The one consistent theme was this: Once you’re done, it’s forever. Thus, the finality was what posed the biggest problem for Strahan in making the ultimate decision.
“It’s a tough decision but I wanted to be fair to the Giants and fair to my teammates,” he said.
He was a bit of a loudmouth and it’s doubtful anyone is going to miss his yearly wavering about retirement, but the guy could flat out play the game. The seven-time Pro Bowler will retire with 141.5 sacks, a NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award (2001) and two NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors (2001, 2003). Strahan is also the NFL’s single-season sack leader with 22.5 and retired with a Super Bowl ring.
Hey, why not go out on top?
