Jason Worilds Retires: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Linebacker Jason Worilds announced Tuesday that he's retiring from professional football.

Worilds' agent, Jason Bernstein, posted his full statement on Twitter:

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported the reason behind Worilds' retirement stating, "Worilds had undergone a spiritual awakening, and his calling is now in that domain. Wish him all the best in his new pursuits."

On Wednesday, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed Worilds is "quitting football to work for Jehovah's Witnesses, sources say."

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Worilds in the second round of the 2010 draft. In five years with the team, he recorded 25.5 sacks, one interception and 204 total tackles. He started in 27 games for the Steelers between 2013 and 2014.

CBSSports.com's Will Brinson noted how Tuesday provided plenty of shocking retirements:

His sack totals increased each season from 2010 through 2013, when he took down opposing quarterbacks a career-high eight times. He followed that up with 7.5 sacks in 2014 along with 59 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.

Pro Football Focus noted how good Worilds was at getting after the passer:

Worilds would have hit free agency last offseason, but the Pittsburgh Steelers used their transition tag on him. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network discussed what kind of money Worilds left on the table by retiring:

Regardless of the means, Steelers president Art Rooney II made it clear that maintaining Worilds was the organization's preference, provided the situation was right, according to ESPN.com's Scott Brown.

However, Worilds opted not to re-sign with Pittsburgh or join another organization as he pursues other opportunities outside of professional football.

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