The Philadelphia Eagles announced that veteran running back LeSean McCoy will retire as a member of the team on Friday.  The 33-year-old McCoy said last year that he wanted to retire with the NFC East franchise. He wrote a letter to fans to announce his retirement, which was posted Thursday on the Eagles website.

McCoy wrote: “After 12 years in the NFL, I’ve decided to retire an Eagle because this is home to me. I still have that green inside my heart. There are times when I’d see the Eagles on TV, and it just felt weird not wearing that uniform.” He added:“I’m retiring because I’m at peace mentally. The only regret I’ve ever had was not spending my entire career as an Eagle. To retire as an Eagle and be an Eagle for life is really important to me. I can’t wait to see everyone this Sunday.”  The Eagles will honor McCoy with a halftime ceremony when they host the Chiefs on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

McCoy went unsigned this off-season in free agency after spending the 2020 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 12-year veteran spent six seasons with the Eagles, joining the team as a second-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. McCoy is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, with 6,792 yards and 44 scores on nearly 1,500 carries. He ran for a league-best 17 scores in 2011. The six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All Pro posted a league-high 2,146 yards from scrimmage and 1,607 rushing yards in 2013.

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