Seahawks’ Gray announces his retirement

Published 12:09 pm Monday, August 4, 2008

KIRKLAND — For the second time in 10 months, a longtime Seattle Seahawk was forced into retirement because of a spinal injury.

Offensive lineman Chris Gray, who has not practiced since hurting his back while hitting a blocking sled nine days ago, announced Monday morning that his career is over. Doctors told him over the weekend that the injury could lead to paralysis if he continued to play football.

“It wasn’t much of a choice for me,” Gray said. “Once they told me the nature of the injury, that was it.”

Last season, veteran fullback Mack Strong was forced to retire after suffering a neck injury.

Gray spent the last 10 years of a 15-year NFL career with the Seahawks. He had been a starting guard since 1999, missing only one game over the past nine seasons.

This year, Gray was slated to be a backup center.

“It’s been a fun ride,” he said.