Longtime NFL star Brian Dawkins took to Twitter this morning to release his statement in which he retired from the NFL.

“The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL.”

Dawkins was a second round pick of the Eagles in 1996 and spent the first 13 years of his career in Philadelphia. He led their defense to four NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance and made four Associated Press All-Pro teams during his time with the team. He made nine Pro Bowls and was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s. He left the Eagles for Denver as a free agent before the 2009 season and his play didn’t slip all that significantly once in Denver.

Dawkins’ health was not holding up well during his last few years, so the retirement is not a surprise.

Stats via PFB