NFL News: Troy Polamalu To Quit NFL After 12 Seasons

Troy Polamalu will walk away from the game after 12 storied seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the only team he has played for in his entire career in the National Football League, or NFL. The 33 year old safety announced his retirement in an interview with the Herald-Standard based in Pennsylvania saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

"Since the end of the season I've had a chance to enjoy my family on a level that I never had before. It was awesome. Thank God football has provided me the ability to be able to sit back and see what the options are. But I'll definitely be the best father I can be.” Polamalu said to the newspaper. ”Maybe it was a sign for me to retire when I chase my kids around and couldn't catch them. It was either a sign for me to retire or a sign for them to begin training.”

The franchise made the retirement official on Friday and described the veteran safety as “a shining example of a football man in the way he loved the game” in an official team statement.

"He's been a tremendous leader, really a leader by example, not only as a great football player but as a great person. He has influenced many people both on and off the field, which was really an important part,” Steelers chairman Dan Rooney also said in the team statement. “We've been fortunate to have great players throughout the years, but he of course would be one of the top players. He did everything with dignity and responsibility, and it was special to have Troy be a Steeler his entire career."

Polamalu was considered one of the best defensive players for the Steelers and helped the team to Super Bowl titles in 2006 and 2009. Polamalu is an eight-time Pro Bowler making the team in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013 and a five-time All-Pro team member making the squad in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Polamalu, who was the 16th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Steelers, struggled with a knee injury in his final year in Pittsburgh. For his 12-year NFL career, he is credited 770 tackles, 12 quarterback sacks, 32 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and 3 touchdowns. Polamalu also stated that he is excited for the Steelers’ future and thinks that the team will still contend for Super Bowls in the upcoming years.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.