Former Pro Bowl Safety Eric Weddle Announces Retirement on Twitter

A San Diego (!!) Chargers legend is stepping away from the game.

Eric Weddle, who spent nine seasons with the Chargers from 2007-15 before leaving for greener pastures in Baltimore and then, ironically, Los Angeles, announced his retirement on Twitter.

Weddle's numbers stand out with the best at his position for his era, and he made six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams in the process. Despite those Chargers' teams never making a run to Super Bowl glory, Weddle was a postseason fixture both in San Diego and later Baltimore, leading some of the better defenses of his era.

The 35-year-old ironman had one year remaining on his contract with the Rams, but has opted to void that instead for retirement and peace of mind. Weddle openly stated he didn't want to return to Los Angeles as a backup, which likely would've been the case with younger options John Johnson and Taylor Rapp in the fold.

While Weddle was known for his play on the field, he was also renowned for having one of the better beards in the game. His facial hair was merely an afterthought, but the former Pro Bowler embraced that recognition, even announcing his retirement with one last #BeardOut hashtag.