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Ex-Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus retires from football
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Former Illinois defensive end Whitney Merciulus has decided to hang up his cleats after a 10 year career in the NFL. He will end his career as a Green Bay Packer.
Mercilus played at Illinois from 2009-2011. He was an All-American in 2011 with the Fighting Illini, and the winner of the Ted Hendricks Award that same season which goes to the best DE in college football.
Mercilus announced his decision from his Instagram account on Wednesday.
Former #Texans pass-rusher Whitney Mercilus has called it a career, retiring to become grill master to his family 🥩 https://t.co/GwJn02l3tQ pic.twitter.com/ZBFg5cURpt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2022
Mercilus was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft with pick No. 26. He had 362 career tackles and 58 sacks over 10 years in the league. Up until this past season, he had spent his entire NFL career in Houston.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.