PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Twin centers Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey have announced their retirement from the NFL. The announcement was made through their close teammate Ramon Foster.
Foster made the announcement for the twin brothers on Friday morning through Twitter. “It’s my honor that my brothers from another asked me to announce the next stage in their life,” Foster wrote on Twitter. “After over a decade [Maurkice] and [Mike] are RETIRING from the NFL.” The memos from both of the players were attached to the tweet.
Mike’s statement provided by Foster, read, “We began this journey at 6 years old and now at 31 we will close this chapter of our lives as I announce my retirement from the NFL and walk away from the game.”
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“I’ll always love the game of football & always will be the ultimate competitor in life,” the former Steelers center Maurkice said. “I’m just not in love with the sacrifice football carries on my life, my beautiful daughters Jayda, Marley & my family!”
Maurkice was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 18th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Maurkice spent his entire career with the Steelers and became a nine-time Pro Bowler.
The Pittsburgh center became close friends with his team’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Both players were fond of one another. Both even vowed to play together as long as both were active. Pouncey had thought about retirement following their playoff loss to the Browns in the Wild Card round.
Mike was drafted a year after Maurkice and was selected with the 15th pick by the Miami Dolphins. Like his twin brother, he also became a Pro Bowler while with the Dolphins. Mike earned three Pro Bowl selections when he was with Miami.
In 2018, Mike signed with the Los Angeles Chargers where he spent his final seasons. Coincidentally, Mike’s final game happened to be a team loss in the wild card round of the playoffs, just like his twin brother.
Maurkice’s retirement gives the Steelers some cap relief, about $8 million is freed, but he does leave $6.475 in dead cap.
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