Jake Locker, the Tennessee Titans quarterback who was set to become a free agent Tuesday, made a surprising announcement: his retirement. The 26-year-old signal caller announced he would be hanging up his boots after four seasons because he no longer had the "burning desire" to play football.
Instead of announcing he had signed with a new team, Locker made a different kind of announcement Tuesday.
"I am retiring from football after much reflection and discussion with my family. I will always be grateful for having had the opportunity to realize my childhood dream of playing in the NFL and for the lifelong relationships I developed because of that experience," Locker said in a statement, via Fox Sports. "Football has always played a pivotal role in my life and I love the game, but I no longer have the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living; to continue to do so would be unfair to the next organization with whom I would eventually sign.
"I realize this decision is surprising to many, but I know in my heart that it is the right decision and I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests."
Injuries plagued Locker for most of his career, and he was never able to get a full season under his belt. After being selected eighth overall in the 2011 draft by Tennessee, Locker played in only 30 games - including just seven games in each of the last two seasons. He'll finish his career with 4,967 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 22 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 79.0.
