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Patriots offensive lineman Dan Connolly has decided to retire, according to ESPN. The 32-year-old Connolly said he could have played at least one more season and had interest from NFL teams, but he didn't want to move his family to another city and also cited health reasons as the "biggest factor" in his decision.
"It's important to me to leave the game healthy," Connolly said. "I'm able to be here for my kids and walk away on my own terms. I feel like I got everything I could out of football in playing 10 years, winning a Super Bowl, and playing alongside some truly great players."
Connolly entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2005 with the Jaguars. He played four games for Jacksonville in 2005 and didn't appear in another NFL game until 2008 with the Patriots.
He appeared in 89 games (71 starts) in his career. He also appeared in 12 postseason games and was part of the Patriots' Super Bowl team last season.
"It definitely played a part in it; helped me sleep better. I'm more at ease with the decision," Connolly said when asked if winning the Super Bowl was a catalyst to retire.
