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Walter Thurmond, 28, retiring after six NFL seasons

Walter Thurmond's breakout season at safety last year with the Philadelphia Eagles netted him plenty of lucrative offers in free agency, but he turned them all down.

Now, he is hanging up his spikes for good.

The Oregon product is retiring, according to NFL Media's Rand Getlin. ESPN first reported the development.

The Eagles have known about Thurmond's plans for months, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, who also reported in March that Thurmond had turned down offers of $4 million-plus per year as he pondered retirement.

Speaking on NFL Total Access on Tuesday, NFL Media's Michael Robinson said Thurmond told him that he made the decision to retire in March. Thurmond ultimately was frustrated he spent half of his career on injured reserve, Robinson said, and felt like he couldn't play at the level he wanted to anymore. In addition, Thurmond was comfortable with the money he made in his career, Robinson said.

After missing a majority of 2014 with a torn pectoral muscle, Thurmond started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2015, netting three picks, two forced fumbles and more than 50 tackles.

Thurmond, though, has broader interests. A Newsday piece in 2014 noted that Thurmond was a director and has overseen the production of two documentary films and a written project. He also told Robinson that he's pursuing a career in film.

Last season was the first time in Thurmond's career that he reached the 16-game plateau. Despite a career dotted with some serious injuries, he could have been a major part of a secondary in 2016.

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