STATELINE — Quarterback Trent Dilfer said he is retiring from football on Wednesday in Lake Tahoe.
The former Fresno State player won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and owns a home at Incline Village.
Dilfer, who has competed in 10 American Century Championships, including the last five, withdrew this week because of an injury.
“I’m heartbroken that I won’t be competing in the American Century Championship,” Dilfer said during a teleconference call Wednesday. “It’s ... the best week of the year if you’re not playing in the Super Bowl.
“I injured my Achilles’ while I was on vacation with my family. I was going to retire anyway. This just gives clarity to the situation. There will be a formal announcement in the next few days about that.”
Dilfer, 36, played 13 seasons in the NFL and was with the San Francisco 49ers last season. He played one season, 2000, with the Ravens, who defeated the New York Giants, 34-7, in Super Bowl XXXV. He was a free agent following the 2007 season but did not sign with any team.
“I’m just really thrilled and looking forward to what’s next for me,” said Dilfer, who added that he and his family might make Incline Village more of a year-round residence. “And obviously I’m going to miss football. It’s been a huge part of my life.
“I think everybody I’ve talked to says (camaraderie is) the hardest thing to get away from, just the locker room, just being around the guys each day, the routine of the season. But I knew this time was coming, and here it is.”
Dilfer completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 20,518 yards in his career. He threw 113 TD passes and 129 interceptions.
Dan Hinxman,
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