It's Official: Mike Vrabel Announces Retirement

It's official: Mike Vrabel is retiring.

The 14-year linebacker issued a statement through his agent on Monday morning that the reports were true and he is indeed retiring from the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL and will transition to Ohio State as Luke Fickell's linebackers coach.

In the release, he specifically named Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli as two guys that taught him "invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach." 

Here's his full statement:

"After 14 years in the National Football League, I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University.

"I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach.

"I am very excited to become a part of Luke Fickell's staff at Ohio State. I have great faith and trust in Luke leading the Buckeye football team as he represents all the core values integral for a program's success, and I am looking forward to working with our student-athletes as I begin the next phase of my career."