Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers announced his retirement on Friday.
Peppers ends his career fourth on the NFL's all-time sack list with 159.5.
"Seventeen years is a long time to be playing this game. It’s two careers for a lot of people," Peppers wrote via The Players' Tribune. "I’m thankful that I have been able to play so long and still be healthy. I’m not all banged up and beaten down. I still feel good.
But as much as I would love to play forever, I know that I can’t. It’s gotta end at some point. That point is now. Today, I’m retiring."
Peppers was selected No. 2 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Panthers, with whom he played his first eight (2002-09) and final two seasons (2017-18). He also spent four years with the Chicago Bears (2010-13) and three with the Green Bay Packers (2014-16).
The nine-time Pro Bowler recorded at least seven sacks in all but two of his 17 seasons, tallying a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2008. He ranks second in NFL history with 52 forced fumbles and 175 tackles for losses.
In his final campaign, he finished with 22 combined tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.