Former St. Louis Rams standout James Laurinaitis announced his retirement on Tuesday, stating he can no longer physically play the game.
Laurinaitis, 30, racked up 853 tackles and 10 interceptions in seven seasons as middle linebacker of the Rams before playing his final campaign with the New Orleans Saints.
"I still love the game but the body says it's time to move on," Laurinaitis wrote while announcing his retirement on Twitter.
Laurinaitis started all 112 games during his stint with the Rams and topped 100 tackles in each season. He also compiled 16.5 sacks and recovered eight fumbles.
Last season with the Saints, Laurinaitis posted 17 tackles in six games.
"With offseason programs starting back up, the thing I'm going to miss the most is the locker room," Laurinaitis wrote. "The conversations and relationships I built with all that I've battled with will be my favorite memories.
"Players, coaches, equipment staff, medical staff, community outreach, marketing, you name it, the people I've met through this game is what I'll take with me. I've been blessed way more through the game of football than I could've ever imagined.
"I've been able to live my dreams that started as a 4th grader and I'm grateful."
Laurinaitis was a college star at Ohio State before being a second-round pick of the Rams in 2009.
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