One of the best guards to play in the NFL is calling it quits. Guard Alan Faneca will announce his retirement on Tuesday, according to Kent Somers of Arizona Republic.
Alan Faneca Will Retire From NFL After 13 Seasons
The news comes as a surprise because we’re in the middle of the NFL lockout but Somers reports that the Cardinals have thought for some time he was leaning toward retirement.
Faneca was the Pittsburgh Steelers first round pick in the 1998 draft and played there until 2008 when he signed a $32 million contract with the New York Jets, which at the time made him the highest paid guard in the game. Faneca was cut by the Jets two seasons later and joined the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year contract.
Faneca’s success started early at LSU as one paper named him the SEC freshman of the year in 1995, which was followed by his placement on the second team AP All-American team the following year. In 1997, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is given to college football’s top lineman.
That success followed him to the pros where he was a nine-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.
Somers reported that the Cardinals were bracing for his retirement so they likely went through the draft understanding that he may not be back.
Check out Revenge of the Birds and SB Nation Arizona for more on Faneca’s retirement.
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