Mike Vrabel announces retirement, to coach Ohio State linebackers

Veteran NFL linebacker Mike Vrabel made it official, announcing today that he's retiring from football and joining the Ohio State coaching staff as linebackers coach.

He played in the NFL for 14 seasons, earning three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vrabel was an All-American and a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Ohio State who recorded 13 sacks in one season and 36 for his career.

"I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University,” Vrabel said in a statement. "I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs."

"I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach."

“I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell’s staff at Ohio State. I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program’s success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career.”

Vrabel was a teammate and roommate of Fickell, who replaced Jim Tressel following his resignation amidst an NCAA inquiry into rule violations.

Vrabel was a Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft pick who thrived in New England.

For his career, the former Pro Bowl selection recorded 742 tackles and 57 sacks and caught 10 touchdown passes as a goal-line tight end.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for the Carroll County Times.