PITTSBURGH – Twin centers Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey have parted ways with the NFL, Ramon Foster, a former Maurkice teammate, reports on Twitter.
“It’s an honor that my brothers from someone else asked me to announce the next phase in their lives. After more than a decade, @MaurkicePouncey and Mike Pouncey are retiring from @nfl,” Foster tweeted.
It is an honor for me that my brothers of another asked me to announce the next phase in their life. After more than a decade @MaurkicePouncey and Mike Pouncey PENSIONS of the @nfl . Below are their memos to thank those involved in their careers. #Steeler #chargers #Miami #NFL pic.twitter.com/v9IALOrZaX
– Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) February 12, 2021
Maurkice was named No. 18 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, while Mike was ranked 15th overall by the Miami Dolphins the following year. The two were full-time starters for their teams right away, mainly in the middle, although Mike spent a season with the Miami Judge.
“We started this journey when we were 6 years old and now at the age of 31 we will close this chapter of our lives when I announce that I have quit @nfl and that I am leaving the competition,” Mike Pouncey said in a statement from Foster.
While Maurkice played 11 seasons with the Steelers, Mike spent 10 seasons between the Dolphins and Chargers after their college career in Florida. Mike’s last season ended in September, when he went into reserve with seasonal hip surgery. A year earlier, the four-time Pro Bowler season ended early with a neck injury sustained in early October.
Maurkice Pouncey and Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are good friends and have often vowed to play as long as the other. Each has a contract that will run through the 2021 season, although Roethlisberger has not announced his intentions for the upcoming season. With retirement, Pouncey leaves $ 6.475 million, but he saves the team $ 8 million in cap space.
The emotional moments Maurkice Pouncey spent on the bench with Roethlisberger after the loss of the Steelers wildcard on Jan. 10 ended up being his last in the NFL.
“I love that guy,” said Roethlisberger after losing the season. “He’s one of the best competitors and teammates I’ve ever had. It was so much fun sharing a soccer field with him. I hate that it ended the way it was. I just wanted to apologize for wanting that. win it for him. “
Maurkice Pouncey, a nine-time Pro Bowler, had told his teammates and those close to him that he was seriously considering retiring since the loss of the wildcard, sources told ESPN.
“I will always love football and will always be the ultimate competitor in life @nfl @steelers! I am just not in love with the sacrifice that football brings into my life, my beautiful daughters Jayda, Marley and my family!” Maurkice Pouncey said in a statement from Foster.
A very loyal teammate, Maurkice Pouncey also missed two games in 2019 after being suspended for his role in the brawl with the Cleveland Browns defending Mason Rudolph against Myles Garrett.
“You have a feel for people,” said Foster, a former lineman attacking, a year ago. ‘You know if someone is not for you. His thing is, if you’re one of his teammates, he loves and fucking respects you. ‘
Pouncey’s departure leaves a void of leadership over the Steelers crime. The first-team two-time All-Pro center was part of the group that gave a fiery speech during halftime of the Steelers’ Week 16 victory against the Indianapolis Colts that helped turn the tide in the second half.
“As I write this farewell address, I cry and laugh that Lakeland FL twin boys who grew up in poverty have come this far in life to live both NFL dreams,” wrote Maurkice.