Kenny Phillips Retires: Latest Comments and Reaction

Former New York Giants and New Orleans Saints defensive back Kenny Phillips has reportedly decided to retire from the NFL because of injury concerns. 

Christopher Stock of 247Sports passed along the news Wednesday. Phillips told the outlet he'd "love to still be playing right now," but his body can no longer handle the physical nature of the sport.

The 29-year-old former University of Miami standout explained to 247Sports that the constant aches and pains convinced him it was time to walk away. He's already come to accept his playing days are a thing of the past, though.

"It wasn't tough to come to grips with it because physically I can't," Phillips said. "It wasn't like, 'OK you're not good enough.' Physically it hurts to do this and it hurts to do that. It was a like a no-brainer."

He also looked back on a career highlighted by winning Super Bowl XLVI with the Giants at the end of the 2011 season:

"

It was a blessing. It was a blessing to be drafted in the first round. It was a blessing to win a Super Bowl and end up in New York. The fan base up there is crazy. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every season of it. Unfortunately injuries are a part of the game. It took a toll. I'd love to still be playing right now, but physically I can't so I just keep my mind off of it and do the next best thing, which is be around it as much as I can. Not even coaching, I just enjoy being around it.

"

Phillips told 247Sports he's returned to Miami with an eye toward completing his degree in sports administration. He's also spending time around the school's football program as part of an internship program, but he's not exactly sure what will come next once he's done with school.

All told, the safety ended up playing six seasons in the NFL between the Giants and Saints. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, but he got released before the season started. He appeared in just three games for New Orleans last year, his first game action since 2012.

He finishes his career with 275 combined tackles, 26 passes defended, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 59 regular-season games. He also added 21 combined tackles in five playoff games while with the Giants.

Injuries consistently held him back, though. He played less than half the regular season three times in his six years, including each of his last two. It ultimately led him to make the decision to call it a career rather than continuing to fight through the pain.