Indianapolis Colts OL Anthony Castonzo Retires

A former Boston College player calls it a career

Indianapolis Colts and former Boston College announced his retirement from the NFL today after a ten year career. He made a statement to Colts.com

"As a kid, it was my dream to play in the NFL. I played my first full season of tackle football in second grade. Now I have played my last. As I sit here now, after a 10 year NFL career, I am extremely proud of all the hard work and sacrifice that allowed me to evolve that dream into a goal, and ultimately into a reality unlike anything I could have even imagined.

More than anything, I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way, especially those who believed in me during times when I did not believe in myself. So thank you to the GMs who believed in me. Thank you to all the coaches who have taught me so much in my 25 total years of football. Thank you to the fans who are so dedicated to the game we all love. Thank you to my teammates who have become friends and those who I now call brothers. Thank you to all the strength coaches, trainers, and medical staff who gave me the blueprint to build (and sometimes rebuild) myself into the best player I could be. Thanks to all the support staff who helped make my daily work experience a joyous one. And thank you to my family who is every one of these things and so much more.

I was fortunate to have been drafted by the Colts ten years ago. I was even more fortunate to spend my entire career here in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts is a special organization with special ownership who fill the organization with special people at every level. I truly believe this is the best organization in all of sports. I am lucky to have been able to call myself a Colt for the past ten years and will consider myself a Colt for the rest of my life.

I have given much to the game of football, but it has given me so much more. I close the book on the football chapter of my life gifted with memories and moments I wouldn't trade for anything. So thank you, last but far from least, to football."

During his time at Boston College, Castonzo starter his freshman year (the first o-lineman to do since Paul Zukauskas), he broke the school record starting with 54 starts. He was the starting right tackle his freshman year, protecting Matt Ryan in their historic 2007 season, where he was named Sporting News All Freshman Team. His sophomore year he switched to left tackle where he continued to produce and he was named second team All-ACC. His junior campaign in 2009 led to Castonzo winning the SI.com All-America honorable mention and was named All-ACC first-team selection. In his final year with the Eagles he was key in a rushing attack led by running back Montel Harris. 

Castonzo was a first round draft pick with the Colts in 2011.

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