Former Georgia Tech defensive lineman Derrick Morgan says he’s retiring after playing nine NFL seasons for five head coaches.

Morgan announced his decision Monday on Twitter and with a post on The Players Tribune.

He wrote that he had a strong indication 2018 would be his final season and that he always wanted to leave the game on his own terms. Morgan says he is thankful to say he accomplished both goals.

The 16th pick overall out of Georgia Tech in 2010, Morgan spent his entire career with the Tennessee Titans. He started 106 of 118 games and had 44.5 sacks playing defensive and outside linebacker. He had a sack in his lone playoff game, the Titans’ wild-card win in Kansas City in 2018. His career earnings exceed $42 million, according to spotrac.com.

He is set to enter the Jackets' sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony this fall.

Morgan says he sees this as a transition as he works to create more opportunities for the underserved and overlooked.

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