National Football League

Titans punter Hentrich retires after 17 NFL seasons

Published Feb. 17, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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Punter Craig Hentrich announced his retirement Wednesday after 17 NFL seasons.

The 38-year-old Hentrich spent the past 12 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and was with Green Bay before that.

For his career, he averaged 42.9 yards per punt on 1,150 attempts.

"I think overall it was a successful career and I wouldn't trade a second of it," Hentrich said in a statement released through the Titans. "Consistency is what I've tried to pride myself on my whole career."

Hentrich is the last link to the Titans' 1999 Super Bowl team, having been with the team since 1998.

He had contemplated retirement after the 2008 season, but changed his diet and exercise regimen and re-signed with Tennessee for the 2009 season. He averaged 46.9 yards per punt on nine kicks, but suffered a calf injury in the second game against Houston and finished the season on injured reserve.

"It's just been a ton of injuries the last three or four years," Hentrich said. "I think it's just my body telling me it's time to quit.

"I've been doing this for 17 years in the league and really 32 years of my life kicking footballs. I think my body is just tired."

Coach Jeff Fisher said Hentrich went out a winner.

"It's very hard in this game to walk away on your own terms and Craig is doing that today," Fisher said. "Craig was a tremendous athlete at the punter position and his versatility and consistency were some of the reasons for our success over his time with us.

"He wasn't only a punter; he was a holder, field goal kicker, kickoff guy and a passer. He was a great teammate and an unselfish player."

Hentrich made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2003. The Packers won the Super Bowl when he was with them in the 1996 season. He was an eighth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 1993.