KIRKLAND, Wash. (March 1, 2004) -- Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Randle told the Seattle Seahawks he plans to retire after 14 NFL seasons, and his publicist issued a statement confirming the decision.
Randle, who turned 36 in December, leaves the game tied with Richard Dent for fifth place on the NFL's list of career sack leaders with 137½.
He will be remembered for his colorful pregame rituals, such as swatting the goal posts, and his relentless chatter on the field. Randle studied opposing teams' media guides and used the information he found as fodder for trash talking during games.
Randle's good-natured rivalry with Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was widely publicized, and he sacked the Packers star 10½ times -- more than any other opposing quarterback.
An unheralded 6-foot-1 interior lineman when he was drafted out of Texas A&I in 1990, Randle spent the next 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He played the last three seasons in Seattle.
Randle told Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren he intends to retire, but the team is waiting for him to fill out required paperwork with the NFL office. An announcement from the team is expected in the next few days.
Randle led the NFL with 15½ sacks in 1997, and he was a first-team All-Pro every season from 1994-98.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/SEA/7135775
Randle, who turned 36 in December, leaves the game tied with Richard Dent for fifth place on the NFL's list of career sack leaders with 137½.
He will be remembered for his colorful pregame rituals, such as swatting the goal posts, and his relentless chatter on the field. Randle studied opposing teams' media guides and used the information he found as fodder for trash talking during games.
Randle's good-natured rivalry with Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was widely publicized, and he sacked the Packers star 10½ times -- more than any other opposing quarterback.
An unheralded 6-foot-1 interior lineman when he was drafted out of Texas A&I in 1990, Randle spent the next 11 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He played the last three seasons in Seattle.
Randle told Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren he intends to retire, but the team is waiting for him to fill out required paperwork with the NFL office. An announcement from the team is expected in the next few days.
Randle led the NFL with 15½ sacks in 1997, and he was a first-team All-Pro every season from 1994-98.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/SEA/7135775
