Yesterday, Brandon Brooks announced his retirement from the National Football League. Brooks, 32, will be leaving the NFL after 10 years of service. He missed the entire 2020 season due to a torn Achilles and only played two games in 2021.

Here’s a few quotes from Brooks’ press conference yesterday:

“How do you say goodbye to something you’ve known your whole life?” Brooks said in his opening statement. “Yes, after 10 years in this game, it’s true. I am retiring.” 

“My body was telling me with all the injuries … can I hold up? At what point do I listen to my body?”

“I attacked my rehab with the intensity and passion that I always do,” Brooks continued.

“But making it back this season just wasn’t in the cards. It didn’t end the way I would have liked it, but, to me, it’s never about the ending it’s about the journey.” 

Before announcing his retirement, Brooks signed a new contract reducing his 2022 cap number from $19.4 million to $7.1 million, making the only 2022 cash a $1.12 million non-guaranteed base salary. The deal was clearly for cap purposes, anticipating that Brooks would no longer be on the Eagles roster next season.

Today, Brooks took out a full page ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer, titled “To the City of Philadelphia and to the Greatest Fans in the World.” Here’s the full page listing.

Class act from Brandon Brooks, who earned three Pro-Bowl nods and a Super Bowl ring during his time in Philadelphia. Brooks will go down as one of the best guards and free-agent signings in Eagles franchise history. It’s a shame that injuries cut his time in Philadelphia short.

Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie released the following statement on Brandon Brooks’ retirement yesterday on Eagles social media accounts.

Cheers to Brandon Brooks.

Thank you for understanding the city of Philadelphia and the passionate fan base.