National Football League

Ex-Titans LB David Thornton retires

Published Aug. 5, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Tennessee Titans linebacker David Thornton has decided to retire after nine seasons in the NFL.

Thornton said in a statement released by his foundation Friday that his passion for the game has not wavered but he feels his decision to retire is the right thing for him. He thanked his former coaches and said he hopes to remain connected to football during retirement.

Thornton had 809 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 121 games. He missed the 2010 season recovering from hip surgery.

The Goldsboro, N.C., native was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 draft by Indianapolis, where he spent the first four seasons of his career before being signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent.