Ex-No. 1 pick Jake Long says he’s a ‘proud and lifelong Dolphin’ in retirement essay

Jake Long, the Dolphins’ only No. 1 overall pick since their inaugural season, has called it a career.

His body insisted upon it.

Long, who might have been a Hall of Fame left tackle if not for repeated physical breakdowns, announced his retirement on Twitter Monday.

“Football has been something that I have put my entire heart and soul into,” Long wrote. “I have always given this game the respect and attention to detail that it demands.

“As I continue with my recent rehab I realize that although my heart and mind still want to play, my body is telling me something completely different,” he continued.

Long suffered a torn Achilles tendon in November, just the latest in a long line of injuries that plagued his career. Long’s spotty availability was a significant reason the Dolphins allowed him to leave in free agency four years ago. He has been limited to just 30 out of a possible 64 games since.

“I’d like to thank all of the organizations I got a chance to play for,” Long wrote. “Most of all, I want to thank the Miami Dolphins, Mr. [Stephen] Ross, Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells. ... You believed in me and gave me my first opportunity to live my dream of playing in the NFL. I will always be a proud and lifelong Miami Dolphin!”

This story was originally published April 24, 2017 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Ex-No. 1 pick Jake Long says he’s a ‘proud and lifelong Dolphin’ in retirement essay."