Friday 19 February 2016

New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo retires from NFL


New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo announced on Tuesday he is retiring after eight seasons in the NFL.

Mayo, who turns 30 next week, spent his entire career in New England but was not expected to be retained by the team due to his large contract and a signing bonus due next month.

Mayo, writing on his Instagram account, said he and his wife were grateful for their time with the Patriots.

"After a lot of thought Chantel and I take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for what we consider a life changing event ... that of becoming a New England Patriot for the past eight years," wrote Mayo.

"Be sure that the Pats memories will always hold a special place in our hearts."

New England drafted Mayo in 2008 and he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award that season.

He made two Pro Bowls but battled injuries the last few seasons and was sidelined when the Patriots captured the Super Bowl in 2015.

Mayo has been surpassed on the depth chart for the Patriots by Jamie Collins and Donta Hightower.

With Mayo due to have a cap number of $11.4m next season - the second highest on the team behind Tom Brady - he was likely to have been cut by New England, who otherwise would have had to pay him a $4m roster bonus on March 9.

The Patriots clear $7m in cap space with Mayo off the books.

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