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Ex-Bengals, Giants, Eagles LB Jones announces his retirement

Published: Oct 11, 2011 at 08:05 AM

Dhani Jones rides off into the sunset.

Despite proclaiming himself this summer as the seventh best linebacker in the NFL, the un-signed former bowtie-wearing linebacker of the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals announced his retirement Tuesday after 11 NFL seasons.

"There comes a time in every man's life when he's got to make that transition, turn the page and move on to the next chapter," Jones said in a recorded video on his website.

Jones thanked the Giants for drafting him in the 2000 draft, the Eagles for teaching him "valuable lessons," and the Bengals for "polishing" him as a person.

Jones has a fleet of TV and philanthropic projects brewing off the field, and Jay Glazer tweeted Tuesday that the former player "wants to now focus on helping players in all sports do similar things."

If television executives remain interested in content about football players after what Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco have produced on VH1, fair enough -- but few NFL players bring Jones' polish in front of the camera.

He finishes his 157-game career with 889 combined tackles, 9.5 sacks and five interceptions, but he'll be remembered more for his class, humility and the life he brought to three NFL locker rooms.

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