FRISCO, Texas — After 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, linebacker Sean Lee has determined to retire.
A second-round decide in 2010 out of Penn State, Lee was a two-time Professional Bowl choice (2015, 2016) and the unquestioned chief of the protection for many of his profession.
“It has been a whole honor,” Lee advised ESPN. “I have been blessed to play for the unbelievable Jones household, with such nice coaches and teammates that I like like brothers. I beloved each minute enjoying and tried to pour my coronary heart and soul into successful and serving to my teammates in any respect prices.
“To say the accidents had been irritating can be an understatement, however the help I obtained by all of them was humbling and the teachings I realized battling adversity will final a lifetime. There are at all times regrets, however I am pleased with what I used to be capable of accomplish and I go away this recreation grateful.”
Accidents marked Lee’s time with the Cowboys, however when wholesome he was among the finest linebackers within the NFL. The 34-year-old led the Cowboys in tackles in 2011 and 2015-17, and he owns 5 of the highest seven deal with video games in workforce historical past, together with a document 22 vs. the Giants in 2016. He additionally had 14 profession interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns; 5 fumble recoveries; 2 pressured fumbles; 59 tackles for loss; and four sacks.
He was credited with 995 tackles for his profession, good for eighth in workforce historical past. He averaged eight.four tackles per recreation, essentially the most among the many prime 10 tacklers in workforce historical past. Darren Woodson, who’s the franchise chief with 1,350, averaged 7.6 tackles per recreation.
Lee missed time with hamstring, wrist, toe, neck, knee and core-muscle accidents in addition to concussions. He missed the 2014 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He performed in simply 9 video games final season after present process sports activities hernia surgical procedure in September however was feeling higher on the finish of the yr and contemplated a return for a 12th season.
His influence off the sector was simply as nice because it was on the sector.
“As a person he is some of the selfless folks that I’ve ever been round,” linebacker Leighton Vander Esch stated after the season. “The dude simply actually loves the sport, and he’s going to do what’s greatest for the sport. He is extraordinarily clever, he understands it like no one I have been round. He is only a phenomenal particular person — his character bleeds off and is contagious.
“He is like an older brother to me, and I do know he needs to see everybody round him succeed and that is simply what’s particular about him. If different individuals are succeeding, [if] the workforce is succeeding? He is simply as glad as if he was on the market doing it. I believe it is particular to have a man like him round. They do not come round fairly often.”
Lee’s determination continues an offseason shift for the Cowboys in longevity and management as defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford, a nine-year veteran, additionally elected to retire and the workforce moved on from 16-year long-snapper L.P. Ladouceur.
With Lee and Crawford not returning, DeMarcus Lawrence, a second-round decide in 2014, is the longest-tenured defensive participant on the Cowboys. Randy Gregory, a second-rounder the subsequent yr, is the second.