James Harrison formalized the decision NFL teams had seemingly made for him and announced his retirement Saturday.
The 36-year-old Harrison, who was the league's defensive MVP in 2008 while with the Pittsburgh Steelers, revealed his decision with a post on Facebook.
"I have made the difficult decision to retire as of today. My love for my family and the need to be there for them outweighs my desire to play the game. I have missed too many experiences with them because I devoted SO much time to my career," Harrison wrote.
"My love for the game isn't strong enough to make up for missing one more birthday or first day of school. I am retiring as a man who is truly grateful for all of his blessings. I am sincerely thankful to the people who have supported me over the years, first and foremost my family, the Rooney family and my Steeler family, also Mr. Brown, the Bengals organization and fans, and last but FAR from least, Steeler Nation. Thank you."
Harrison, who was not drafted out of Kent State, played 10 of his 11 seasons in Pittsburgh and was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team all-pro at outside linebacker.
He won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, and his 100-yard touchdown return of an interception thrown by Kurt Warner before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII was a key to Pittsburgh's victory and one of the most memorable plays in the history of the game.
He finished with 66 career sacks and a personal-best 16 in 2008.
Harrison was known for an often-surly personality yet was widely beloved within the Steelers locker room.
But he also became the poster boy for punishment and fines as the NFL began its crackdown on illegal and unsafe hits. His frustration with the new initiative caused him to mull retirement at his peak.
In a 2011 Men's Journal interview, Harrison infamously labeled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as a "crook," "puppet," "dictator," and "devil" and said, "I hate him and will never respect him."
Harrison played last season for the Cincinnati Bengals but was released March 13 and didn't sign elsewhere.
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