Just days after fellow Steelers defensive back Troy Polamalu announced his retirement, Ike Taylor announced on Tuesday morning that he will be retiring from the game of football as well. Taylor has spent his entire 12-year pro career playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. During his time with the Steelers, he helped the team win two Super Bowls and three conference championships, all while establishing himself as one of the most notable names on defense. Taylor finishes off his career with 632 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries,and 14 interceptions.
This morning, Taylor spoke to Steelers.com to reflect on his time with the team and to talk about why he is ready to retire:
“Other than having my son, playing for the Steelers has been the best experience in my entire lifetime. It is rare, in this day of free agency that is, super rare to play for one team. For me to have this opportunity says a lot about how they felt about me, what I gave back to the organization.
I wasn’t cut, I wasn’t released. It was just my contract was up and it was time to retire. If you want to have pride, well that is the kind of pride I have, being able to play my contract out.”
He added that Polamalu’s retirement last week heavily influenced his own decision to leave, as the two players came in at the same time and have been playing side by side their whole careers. “That is how we rock. We came in, we are leaving together. That is my loyalty to that man. I said once Troy does his, I will decide. That is what I owe to Troy.”
Though Taylor will no longer be out on the football field wearing #24 on Sundays, his time with the Steelers is not over just yet. There are talks that Taylor will return to the team on the coaching side though nothing has been confirmed. One thing is for sure…no matter where he ends up, he will always be considered a Steeler for life.
Source: NFL, Steelers.com
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