Veteran Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure announced Wednesday that he plans to retire.
"Huge thanks to everyone for all there well wishes. I am retiring an Atlanta Falcon. More to come at press conference after owners meetings," he tweeted late Wednesday. The NFL owners meetings are scheduled for Sunday through Wednesday in Phoenix.
McClure told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
"It's going to be different not putting on cleats, the shoulder pads and going out there on the field, but it's something that I'm looking forward to," he told the newspaper on Wednesday. "I've got four kids and my wife, it's time to move on to the next chapter."
McClure, 36, holds Atlanta's franchise record for consecutive starts with 144 from the 2002 to 2010 seasons. He started all 16 games for the Falcons last season.
McClure was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 1999 draft and has played 198 regular-season games with 195 starts.