Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio retires after 12 seasons
· Yahoo Sports
June 9 (UPI) -- Longtime Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio will retire after 12 seasons, he announced Tuesday. He had become an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Bitonio, a second-round pick by the Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft, made 178 starts during his decorated tenure. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
"When I looked at my career and all that I had achieved -- the All-Pros, Pro Bowls, snap streaks and playoff appearances -- there was only one thing left that I still hoped to accomplish: a Super Bowl," Bitonio wrote in a letter on the Browns website.
"A small part of me thought about wanting to chase that dream, but at the end of the day, my heart was set on being a Cleveland Brown for life. This city was where my NFL career was supposed to start and finish. For that dream to be a reality, I could not be more grateful."
Bitonio played on a one-year, $15 million deal last season. His 178 starts are the most in Browns history since 1999, when the franchise returned to Cleveland.
"Truthfully, as time passed and my career kept going, there was never a point where I could envision myself in a different uniform," Bitonio wrote.
"Wearing that orange helmet and being part of this franchise -- from getting drafted to signing three contracts -- I felt a loyalty to the Browns, and it gave me a sense of pride to represent a fan base who is consistently loyal to us."
Cleveland signed former Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson as an off-season free agent. Teven Jenkins, Kendrick Green, Zak Zinter and Tyre Phillips are among other guards on the Browns' roster.
The Browns will hold mandatory minicamp Tuesday through Thursday. They will take on the Chicago Bears in their preseason opener Aug. 15 in Chicago.