Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey, both starting centers in the NFL, are retiring after a decade in the league.
Ramon Foster, a former teammate of Maurkice’s Pittsburgh Steelers, made the announcement on Twitter on behalf of the twin brothers. They each published lengthy statements about their time in the league and called it a career.
“We started this journey when we were 6 and now at 31 we will close this chapter of our lives,” wrote Mike Pouncey, most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers, in a statement published by Foster.
Maurkice spent all 11 seasons with the Steelers and was named nine Pro Bowls. Mike played 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and the Chargers. They visited Florida together.
Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey is retiring
The Steelers designed Maurkice No. 18 in the 2010 draft overall and made him the starting center of his rookie season. They won four division titles during his career and went all the way to the AFC Championship in the 2016 season. He is a two-time first-team all-pro and a cornerstone of the team’s offensive line and leadership.
The story goes on
“I will always love the game of football and always be the ultimate competitor in life,” wrote Maurkice in the memo provided by Foster. “I’m just not in love with the victim football wears in my life, my beautiful daughters Jayda, Marley and my family.”
Maurkice thanked the Steelers’ Rooney family and others involved in the organization through the memo from Foster, who played for Pittsburgh from 2009-2019. Head coach Mike Tomlin released a statement following the announcement:
Pouncey to Roethlisberger: ‘We drive together’
He thanked and also honored the quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, with whom he is close friends. They have often vowed to play as long as the others, and both contracts will expire after the 2021 season.
“Big Ben, my brother for life, we ride together, we die together, bad boys for life,” wrote Maurkice with a yellow heart emoji.
They had an emotional moment after losing to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the playoffs last month. The microphones on the bench caught Roethlisberger, who apologized to his friend for leaving early.
“I’m sorry, brother. You’re the only reason I wanted to do this, man, ”a tearful Roethlisberger Pouncey said after the game on NFL Films on the sidelines. “Oh, I feel worse for you than I do. I hate it man “
Following the announcement, he honored Pouncey on Twitter.
The quarterback’s retirement plans have been a constant off-season question for several years. The 38-year-old was moved into 11th place overall by Pittsburgh in 2004.
Mike Pouncey’s final season has been canceled
Los Angeles Chargers Center Mike Pouncey and Pittsburgh Steelers Center Maurkice Pouncey announced their retirement. (AP Photo / Don Wright, File)
Mike Pouncey was voted 15th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2011 NFL draft and immediately took the starting place. He stayed in Miami in 2017 and played on the right in 2014.
“I am grateful for everything that football has taught me and where it has taken me!” Mike wrote. “Dream big kids because they come true – not because you dream it and think it will just happen, but because you work as hard as you can to make it happen. Never be afraid of making a mistake; learn from them and fix it. “
He’s spent the last three seasons on the chargers, but his final season ended early when he needed a hip replacement in September. His 2019 season also ended early with a neck injury that he suffered after five games in October.
Pouncey is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and has also noted down the sacrifices he made to play. He thanked the organizations as well as his family and brother.
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