Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) – Former Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan Faneca retired from the NFL on Tuesday following 13 years in the league.
The nine-time Pro Bowl selection spent the first 10 years of his career with the Steelers before signing as a free agent with the New York Jets in 2008. He played two years with the Jets and last season with the Arizona Cardinals.
A first-round pick in 1998 out of LSU, Faneca became a starter for Pittsburgh in his rookie season.
In 2007, Faneca was voted to the Steelers 75th Anniversary all-time team.
Faneca, who played in 206 NFL games, released a statement on his retirement:
“After a lot of thought I am announcing my retirement from Professional Football. Playing in the NFL has been a childhood dream come true. Thirteen years later I have decided that it is time to move on.
“From the dog days of training camp to winning a Super Bowl the memories are endless. The greatest memory that I will leave the game with is all of the lifelong friendships I have made.
“I want to specifically thank the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals. Each and every teammate, coach and front office employee has made a lasting impact on my life. It was a pleasure playing for first class organizations who surrounded me with incredibly dedicated individuals. I want to thank each of the beat writers that covered me throughout my career. These guys work hard and always treated me with respect. I want to also thank the fans. The roar of the crowd kept me going more than the fans will ever know.
“It is time to move on to the next chapter in my life. I can’t wait to spend more time with my family. Playing in this league for as long as I did takes sacrifice, not only by me, but by each of them. I want to thank Julie, Annabelle and Burton for allowing me to fulfill all of my boyhood dreams. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
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