Report: Strahan to retire

Jun 9, 2008 - 4:32 PM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Michael Strahan evidently is set to call it quits.

Strahan will retire from the NFL following a successful 15-year career with the New York Giants, according to a report posted Monday by FOXSports.com.

Strahan, 36, flirted with retirement last summer before returning to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants. The defensive end told FOXSports.com that he wanted to decide on his future prior to the beginning of Giants' mini-camp.

"It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," said Strahan, the Giants' all-time leader in sacks. "It's time. I'm done."

Neither the Giants nor Strahan's agent, Anthony Agnone, were available to comment on the report when contacted by PA SportsTicker.

After spearheading a ferocious defense that helped upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, Strahan did not indicate this past February if he would return for his 16th season with the Giants.

But just over four months later, Strahan apparently has arrived at a final decision.

"It's a tough decision," he told FOXSports.com. "But I wanted to be fair to the Giants and fair to my teammates."

A four-time All Pro, Strahan appeared in 216 career games - all with the Giants. The future Hall of Famer ranks fifth all-time with 141 1/2 career sacks.