Linebacker Vince Williams is retiring from the NFL after an eight-year career spent entirely with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Williams, 31, played in 121 of a possible 128 regular-season games across those eight seasons.
“Vince Williams notified us today that he will retire from the game of football,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday in a statement. “We respect his decision and want to thank him for his time with us as he consistently showed great character and leadership in addition to his contributions on the field. We wish Vince and his family all the best.”
An inside linebacker, Williams was a sixth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Florida State and broke into the starting lineup as a rookie after other players suffered injuries.
Williams made 69 starts in his career and amassed 479 total tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and six fumble recoveries.
He started in all 14 games he played for Pittsburgh in 2020 and projected as a starter for 2021 as well. He had 70 tackles last season and tied for sixth in the NFL with 14 stops for losses.
Williams is the brother of former NFL running back Karlos Williams and the cousin of Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James.
“Congratulations on a phenomenal career (Williams)!!” teammate T.J. Watt tweeted to Williams on Wednesday. “I’m lucky to have shared the field with you!”
