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LB Joey Porter tells me he plans to retire this year as a member of the Pittsburgh #Steelers: blogs.nfl.com/2012/07/18/liv…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 18, 2012
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter has announced his intention to retire this year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter, who played three seasons with the Dolphins, including a Pro Bowl season in 2008 when he tallied a career high 17.5 sacks, was drafted in the third round of the 1999 Draft by the Steelers. He played eight years with Pittsburgh, going to three Pro Bowls and being selected First Team All Pro once.
Joining the Dolphins in 2008, Porter would record 32 sacks over three seasons, starting 45 of the 46 games in which he appeared. He would also tally two interceptions, seven passes defensed, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 154 tackles.
However, Porter's mouth would soon lead to the team, and fans, tiring of the pass rusher. He was released from Miami after 2009. Porter would spend two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, tallying six sacks, two forced fumbles, and 66 tackles.
Over his 13 year career, Porter would average 7.5 sacks and 51.7 tackles a season. In comparison, former Miami Dolphins pass rusher, and one time teammate of Porter, Jason Taylor averaged 10.1 sacks per season in his 13 years with the Dolphins, as well as 54.8 tackles. Adding in the two years away from the Dolphins, Taylor averaged 9.3 sacks per year and 51.8 tackles.
Porter told Ian Rapoport from NFL.com he was retiring due to his health, and that he was honored to be able to do it as a member of the Steelers.
"I plan on retiring this year," Porter told Rapoport. "I already talked to the Steelers, put some plans together on signing with the Steelers and retiring as a Steeler. It was a good career. I have no regrets about nothing."
"That's where I started at. It'll be an honor to go out there and retire as a Steeler. Started there, end there. Thirteen years. I never thought I'd play that long when I first started."