Titans outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, a 123-game starter in nine NFL seasons, announced his retirement Thursday via his verified Twitter account.
“While I still feel like I could be competitive on the field, at this point in my life, my family is my priority,” Wimbley wrote. “Although my wife and two young daughters have always been incredibly supportive of my career, I am looking forward to spending more meaningful time with them and never missing another big moment in their lives!”
In a team-issued statement on Twitter, Titans G.M. Ruston Webster paid tribute to Wimbley, who had played with Tennessee the last three seasons.
“We want to congratulate Kamerion on a his NFL career. He is a true pro and a fantastic person,” Webster said. “Not everyone gets to walk away from the game on their own terms and he is doing that today and for that he has my respect. I know he has a number of business ventures already and we wish him and his family the best in what lies ahead.”
Wimbley had two years and a little more than $4 million in salary left on his contract, per NFLPA records.
A Florida State product, Wimbley was the Browns’ first-round pick in 2006. He notched 53.5 sacks in regular season play, including a career-best 11 as a rookie. The Browns traded him to Oakland in 2010, and he played two seasons with the Raiders before moving on to Tennessee in 2012. Wimbley recorded 32 tackles and two sacks in 13 games (12 starts) last season for the Titans.
Wimbley departs the NFL having never played in a postseason game, with Cleveland, Oakland and Tennessee all failing to qualify for the playoffs during his stints.