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Haloti Ngata announces NFL retirement from atop Mount Kilimanjaro

Haloti Ngata announced his retirement on Monday, and did so in style.

The longtime NFL defensive lineman posted a photo of himself atop Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, with a banner that read: “I’m retiring from the NFL on top.”

“Just a man standing on top of the world with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you Lord for letting me play the game I love for 13 unforgettable years. I’m retiring on top,” Ngata wrote in the caption.

“I might be finished playing football, but I’m holding tight to the friendships, memories and wisdom I’ve gained along the way. Walking away with no regrets, just peace in knowing I gave it my all and had a helluva lot of fun doing it.”

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One of the best defensive tackles of his era

The 35-year-old Ngata is coming off his lone season with the Philadelphia Eagles. It was his 13th year as a pro and his third NFL team, capping off a career where he was regularly one of the league’s top interior linemen.

Ngata, who spent nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and three seasons with the Detroit Lions before a year in Philly, earned Pro Bowl honors five times, was twice named first-team All-Pro and won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in 2013.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Haloti Ngata #94 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
After 13 seasons in the NFL, Haloti Ngata has announced his retirement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Ngata was selected No. 12 overall by the Ravens in the 2006 draft and quickly established himself as a big-time player on Baltimore teams known for defensive dominance. Ngata, an impressive athlete at 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, was in the middle of it all, primarily as a run-stuffer.

Overall for his career, Ngata totaled 519 tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 32.5 sacks and five interceptions. He’ll be remembered as one of the best defensive tackles of his era and one of the best players in Ravens history.

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