Five-time Pro Bowler and NFL linebacker James Harrison retired from football today. An eleven year NFL veteran, Harrison spent ten of those seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made his announcement in a released statement via his Facebook account today.

“I have made the difficult decision to retire as of today,” Harrison wrote. “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. 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, 36, retires with 66 career sacks. In 2008, he had a personal-best 16 sacks and was the NFL’s defensive MVP. He won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers and the world was watching him at Super Bowl XLIII when his 100-yard touchdown return of an interception thrown by Kurt Warner toward the end of the first half was a memorable play that propel the Steelers to victory.

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