Steelers' Taylor calls it a career

Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has decided to retire after 12 seasons.

Taylor spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers and helped the franchise to a pair of Super Bowl victories. He was an unrestricted free agent, but didn't want to play for another team.

"It is rare, in this day of free agency that is, super rare to play for one team," said Taylor on the team's website. "For me to have this opportunity says a lot about how they felt about me, what I gave back to the organization. I wasn't cut, I wasn't released. It was just my contract was up and it was time to retire. If you want to have pride, well that is the kind of pride I have, being able to play my contract out."

The Steelers selected Taylor in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He entered the league with Troy Polamalu, a first-round pick in the same draft, and will go out just a few days after the safety announced his retirement.

"We came in together, we were going out together," said Taylor. "That is my loyalty to that man. I said once Troy does his, I will decide. That is what I owe to Troy."

Taylor played in just five games last year, missing 11 games after suffering a dislocated elbow in September against Carolina.

In 174 games, including 140 starts, Taylor finished with 14 interceptions and 636 tackles.