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Former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long retires from NFL

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Free-agent left tackle Jake Long has decided to call it a career after the end of his nine-year NFL run was sapped by injuries.

The former first overall pick of the 2008 draft announced his retirement with a lengthy Twitter post on Monday.

Long spent the first five years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, holding down the left tackle position and reaching the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. But rather than re-sign with Miami, he opted to join the then-St. Louis Rams in free agency in 2013.

Two years into his four-year deal with the Rams, Long had already torn his right ACL twice and picked up back, knee, shoulder, and bicep injuries.

He was released by the Rams in 2015 and signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but only played in four games.

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were in such desperate need for offensive line help that they signed Long after their bye week. He played in four games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

"I will always be a proud and lifelong Miami Dolphin," Long wrote.

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