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Associated Press
Foxborough, Mass.

Minnesota native Eric Decker announces retirement from NFL

Eric Decker
New England Patriots wide receiver Eric Decker walks on the field before a preseason NFL football game against Washington on Aug. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. Decker said on Instagram on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, that he is retiring after an eight-year NFL career.
Charles Krupa | AP

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Minnesota native Eric Decker has announced his retirement from the NFL after an eight-year career as a wide receiver with the Broncos, Jets and Titans.

Decker, 31, had been in training camp with the New England Patriots this summer, but it wasn't clear he would make the roster. He said on Instagram on Sunday: "This has been a passion inside of me since I was a little boy but now it is time for me to hang up my helmet and start a new chapter in my life."

Decker also thanked his family and friends for their support on what he called an "incredible journey."

Decker graduated from Rocori High School in Cold Spring, Minn., and then played football and baseball for the University of Minnesota.

Decker caught 439 passes for 5,816 yards and 53 touchdowns in his NFL career. He had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons, including a career-best 1,288 yards on 87 receptions in 2013 with Denver, when he reached the Super Bowl for the only time in his career.

He had two catches for 12 yards this preseason.