Steelers CB Ike Taylor Retires At 34
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After 12-seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ike Taylor has decided to retire.
Taylor became a free agent last month and says he couldn't envision playing for another team.
He finishes his career with 17 interceptions, including three in the playoffs. He is the latest member of a core group that led the team's resurgence over the past decade to leave.
Taylor was an unrestricted free agent, and told Steelers.com that playing anywhere else just wouldn't have been right.
The 34-year-old cornerback was with the team for two Super Bowl wins and three conference championships.
WATCH: Player Style Files: Ike Taylor
LISTEN: Ike Taylor On Decision To Retire
"Other than having my son, playing for the Steelers has been the best experience in my entire lifetime," Taylor said in a statement released by the Steelers. "It is rare, in this day of free agency that is super rare to play for one team. For me to have this opportunity says a lot about how they felt about me, what I gave back to the organization. I wasn't cut, I wasn't released. It was just my contract was up and it was time to retire. If you want to have pride, well that is the kind of pride I have, being able to play my contract out."
Safety Troy Polamalu retired last week. Linebacker Jason Worilds walked away at age 27 in March and Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did not have his contract renewed in January.
In his statement Taylor also said, "I can't explain it, what the Steelers have meant," said Taylor. "I understand the business. But they gave me loyalty. They let me play my whole contract out."
Taylor took a pay cut to return in 2014 but was limited to five games because of a broken right forearm.
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