National Football League

Kreutz walks away from Saints

Published Oct. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Center Olin Kreutz has informed the New Orleans Saints that he is leaving the team after losing his passion for football.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Friday the 34-year-old Kreutz ''has to feel really good about the passion he has got for the game and the love he has got for the game.'' Bartelstein says Kreutz felt that slipping away and ''he's just not someone who can go to work every week and collect a paycheck.''

In August, the 14-year veteran couldn't agree to a new contract with Chicago, the only other team he has played for, and signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Saints.

After starting the first three games with New Orleans, Kreutz missed two with an injury - ending a string of 137 consecutive starts.