Titans quarterback Jake Locker retires after 4 seasons

Quarterback Jake Locker, the eighth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2011 NFL Draft, announced he will retire after just four NFL seasons.

Locker’s history of injuries that began during his three seasons at the University of Washington continued into the NFL, and he started just 23 games over four seasons. He signed a four-year, $12 million contract as a rookie, and was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday.

“I am retiring from football after much reflection and discussion with my family,” Locker said in a statement Tuesday. “I will always be grateful for having had the opportunity to realize my childhood dream of playing in the NFL and for the lifelong relationships I developed because of that experience.

“Football has always played a pivotal role in my life and I love the game, but I no longer have the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living; to continue to do so would be unfair to the next organization with whom I would eventually sign. I realize this decision is surprising to many, but I know in my heart that it is the right decision and I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests.”

There is some speculation that Locker might be interested in trying his hand at baseball.

As a senior at Ferndale (Wash.) High School in 2006, he was selected in the 40th round by the Los Angeles Angels but already had decided to play football at theUniversity of Washington. Although Locker didn’t play in college, the Angels drafted him again three years later — this time in the 10th round as a outfielder —- and retain his rights until this summer.

With the Titans, Locker started five of seven games he appeared in as a rookie, primarily serving as a backup to Matt Hasselbeck. Locker was named their starter entering the 2012 season but tore a muscle in his non-throwing shoulder on Sept. 30. He returned to the lineup Nov. 9 and finished the season with 2,176 passing yards and 10 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 11 starts.

Locker opened the season as the starter again in 2013 but suffered a hip injury on Sept. 29 and then a season-ending Lisfranc injury on Nov. 10 and was limited to seven games.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2014, Locker again was named the starter coming out of training camp. However, he was benched on Oct. 22 and eventually placed on injured reserve Dec. 14, finishing the season with five starts in seven appearances and the team made no attempt to re-sign him.

For his career, Locker has thrown for 4,967 yards, 27 touchdowns and 22 interceptions while being sacked 60 times.