Injuries force two-time Pro Bowl DE Kerney to retire

Citing a desire to play but a battered body that won't let him, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Patrick Kerney announced his retirement.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection and 2007 All-Pro said last year he had become increasingly aware of the effects that playing 11 NFL seasons for Atlanta and Seattle have had on his body - and potentially on his quality of life after football.

He had surgeries on his left shoulder following the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He played an NFC playoff game at Green Bay in January 2008 essentially with one arm. This past January, he had surgery on his elbow.

"Despite the desire to continue my career, I am retiring from professional football," Kerney said in a statement released by the Seahawks on Tuesday. "The toll that has been taken on my body will no longer allow me to train, and hence, perform, at a level that is acceptable to me."

The 33-year-old Kerney is engaged to be married. He's set financially, having signed a contract in 2007 that guaranteed him $19.5 million.

Kerney was renowned among his teammates for the gadgets he used to recover from and prepare for games.

He spent many hours each week inside a $1,2000 hyperbaric chamber and sprawled on silver-lined "earthing" sheets that are purported to speed the recovery of tissues.

Immediately before regular-season games, he would amp up the settings on the electric stimulation machine he used in the locker room to fire up his adrenal glands.

On the field, he was known as a relentless pass rusher.

Kerney was drafted 30th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. He played eight seasons for the Falcons and three for Seattle.

"It has been a privilege to work for two first-class organizations that are supported by passionate, inspirational fans," he said. "I cannot express enough gratitude to all who have supported me throughout my career."