Former Rams, Lions DL Michael Brockers retires from NFL - ESPN

Veteran defensive lineman Michael Brockers announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons on Wednesday.

He made the announcement in an Instagram post and said in an accompanying video, «I'm retiring from the game of football, y'all. I'm hanging up them cleats, man.» He thanked God, his wife, Faith, his fans and the Rams and Lions, the two teams he played for in his career.

A post shared by The Brockcast by Mike Brockers | Sports Podcast (@thebrockcast)

Selected 14th overall by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2012, Brockers played his first nine seasons with the organization. From 2014 to 2020, he helped form a stout tandem with Aaron Donald on the Rams' defensive line.

The Rams traded Brockers to the Lions in 2021. He played two seasons for Detroit before he was released last year.

«I Truly want to thank all My Fans for supporting my family and I during these 11 beautiful yrs. I want to personally thank the Rams and Lions organizations for taking the risk on me to represent their teams,» Brockers wrote in his Instagram post. «I want to also thank My Teammates and Coaches for making me the player I was. This Game is a beautiful Game because it has aspects of life through out and this is the time where I have to Be comfortable being Uncomfortable and truly master this thing we call life.»

Brockers, 33, didn't play in the NFL last season.

He finishes his career with 29 sacks and 451 tackles in 160 games (157 starts).