Former Falcons guard Andy Levitre announced his retirement from the NFL on social media Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, due to injury my body won’t allow me to continue any longer,” Levitre wrote. “Thank you to my wife and children, my family, friends, coaches, teammates and all of the fans who supported me on this journey.”
The Falcons wished Levitre well in retirement.
“We’d like to congratulate Andy on his career and his recent retirement,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “During his time as part of the Falcons family, he was a valuable and well-respected contributor on and off the field. We wish the best to Andy, his wife, Katie, and the entire Levitre family.”
The Falcons acquired Levitre from the Tennessee Titans via trade before the start of the 2015 season. He came in the week before the season opener and took over the starting left guard position.
Levitre started all 16 regular-season games in 2015 and 2016. He started in the playoffs and in Super Bowl LI for the Falcons.
His troubles started in the 2017 season when he suffered a torn triceps injury after starting 13 games.
Levitre tried to return in 2018, but was lost for the season when he torn the same triceps in the second game of the season, when he played 12 snaps against the Panthers. Wes Schweitzer, who started 18 games in 2017 at right guard, came on after Levitre was injured and finished the game.
After the season, Levitre said he wanted to continue his career, but changed his mind.
“A true competitor, and a great teammate,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He epitomizes the competitiveness and toughness of a Falcon man. Andy represents everything I love about the NFL. Congratulations on an outstanding career.”
Levitre, 32, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (51st overall) of the 2009 draft out of Oregon State.
He played four seasons with the Bills before signing a lucrative six-year, $48.6 million deal in free agency with the Titans. Things didn’t go smoothly for Levitre in Nashville.
The Falcons traded with the Titans to get Levitre only two years into his six-year contract. The Falcons sent the Titans a sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick.
Overall, he started 47 games for the Falcons, including all 19 games during the march to the Super Bowl LI in the 2016 season. He played 143 NFL games, all starts.
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