Freeney, 7-time Pro Bowler, retires as member of Colts

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney retired Thursday as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, where he played his first 11 seasons, the organization announced.

Freeney, who broke into the league as the 11th overall pick out of Syracuse in 2002, will go down as one of the best pass-rushers of his era. He ranks second on the Colts' all-time list with 107.5 sacks, trailing only his former pass-rushing mate Robert Mathis.

His most productive season came in 2004 when he posted a career-high 16 sacks. Two seasons later, he helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears.

After playing out his contract with the Colts in 2012, Freeney signed a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers. He went on to play for four additional teams over the following three seasons - the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions - before calling it quits.

Even in the later stages of his career, Freeney and his famous spin move still gave opposing lineman fits. He was brilliant for the Falcons in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots, in which he recorded a sack.

Freeney, who turned 38 in February, had three sacks in four games last year for the Seahawks and sits tied for 17th on the NFL's all-time sack list with 125.5.