Alan Faneca retires from NFL

Guard Alan Faneca, 34, announced his retirement on Thursday.

The nine-time pro bowler and super bowl winner (Pittsburgh Steelers) played 13 seasons in the NFL, including two years with the New York Jets.

After signing a five year, $40 million contract with the Jets, Faneca was dropped from the team after just two years when he received a phone call from Jets head coach Rex Ryan during the 2010 draft.  The Jets would go on to select Vladimir Ducasse in the second round and be obligated to pay Faneca’s $5.25 million salary for 2011.  (Faneca’s total pay with the Jets ended up being $21.5 million for 2 years of work).

“Playing in the NFL has been a childhood dream come true,” Faneca said in a statement. “Thirteen years later, I have decided that it is time to move on.”

“Each and every teammate, coach and front office employee has made a lasting impact on my life,” he said. “It was a pleasure playing for first class organizations who surrounded me with incredibly dedicated individuals.”

As for Ducasse, the Jets used Matt Slauson at Faneca’s position, who credited Faneca for his success.

Faneca was the Steelers first-round draft pick out of LSU in 1998 and played in 206 NFL games, including 144 consecutive starts.