Joey Porter: Veteran LB Plans to Retire After 13 Seasons

Linebacker Joey Porter has announced his retirement from the NFL after playing 13 seasons.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the long-time sack master will retire as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rapoport quoted Porter saying the following: 

"

I plan on retiring this year. I already talked to the Steelers, put some plans together on signing with the Steelers and retiring as a Steeler. It was a good career. I have no regrets about nothing.

"

The 35-year-old was one of the league’s premier pass-rushers for much of his career and recorded 98 sacks.

He began his career in Pittsburgh and played there for eight seasons, earning three of his four Pro-Bowl selections with the Steelers.

Standing at 6’3” and weighing 248 lbs, he displayed incredible speed and strength during his prime. 

But he also created headlines with his antics, including one noteworthy incident in 2004 when was ejected before a game for fighting with an opposing player during warm-ups. 

After new coach Mike Tomlin took over in Pittsburgh in 2007, the team decided to cut Porter and avoid paying his roster bonus. He was subsequently picked up by the Miami Dolphins and continued to produce at a high level. 

His second season in Miami was the best year of his career as he recorded 17.5 sacks. He spent a total of three seasons in Miami before being released. 

The Arizona Cardinals signed Porter, but he was not the same explosive athlete that made him so dangerous. He cited health reasons as a motivating factor in his decision to retire.

He told Rapoport:

"

The last two years, I tried to play and I wasn’t out there as healthy as I’ve been in the past. This year, I knew my knee wasn’t getting any better as far as this season. It made the decision kinda easy, actually.

"

Whether he was using his mouth or his skills on the football field, Porter was always entertaining to watch.