Cortland Finnegan Retires: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

In an offseason that has already been filled with high-profile retirements, cornerback Cortland Finnegan added his name to that list Wednesday after nine NFL seasons.  

The 31-year-old veteran made the announcement on his Instagram account:

"

Spent 9 years doing something I Loved and it has payed off in so many ways.. To say I have been blessed is an understatement I am forever thankful.. I have made my share of mistakes and had moments of glory. I even got into a fight in an NFL Game ( he hits like a bish). I'm thankful for the friends I made on and off the field love yAll.. Time to move on and enjoy new people new places and new ideas.. I forgot to thank all the haters I love yAll to.

"

The announcement was also accompanied by this message:

Finnegan spent the 2014 campaign with the Miami Dolphins after previously playing for the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams. He was selected for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro first team in 2008, and he gained a reputation as one of the NFL's scrappiest defensive backs from that point forward.

While Finnegan enjoyed a strong career that saw him intercept 18 passes in 128 games, he is perhaps best known for an on-field altercation with former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson in a 2010 game between the Texans and the Titans.

As pointed out by Steve Layman of NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, Tennessee, Finnegan took a parting shot at his former adversary in his retirement announcement:

Considering how pesky and controversial Finnegan was on the field, it is only fitting that he decided to go out in that manner as well.

The 5'9" spitfire out of Samford may have lacked the size and the natural ability of many of his peers, but his aggressiveness and will to win helped him carve out an extremely successful NFL career.

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