IOWA CITY – Former Iowa Hawkeye First Team All-Big Ten linebacker Pat Angerer retired from the NFL this week after playing in 54 games.
Angerer, from Bettendorf, was drafted in 2010 in the second round by Indianapolis. He had 328 tackles in his career. Injuries slowed him and eventually led him to call it a career.
“All I ever wanted to do was play for Bettendorf and that gave me the chance to be a Hawk,” Angerer wrote in a statement on Twitter. “Then, I’ll I ever wanted to do was step on the field in Kinnick and that changed my life. I want to walk away while I’m still able to give my wife and kids the man they deserve. I have given this sport all I got. It wouldn’t be fair to the game, the team, my family and my name to continue along this path any longer. It’s time to get healthy. I’ve learned so much from so many great men along the way. I’m proud I was able to get a degree from a prestigious college and make a living playing a kids game. I had a lot of fun and I’ve been extremely fortunate. I’m excited for whatever the future entails. Thank you all for having my back.”
After announcing his retirement, Angerer thanked his fans for support.
“The support from you all has been absolutely amazing. I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family,” he said via Twitter.
His former coach, Kirk Ferentz, said in a press conference this week that despite early struggles with the Hawkeyes, Angerer “became one of our best leaders ever … I just feel badly he couldn’t stay healthy as a pro because he is a tremendous football player.
Ex-Colts LB Pat Angerer: It's time to retire http://t.co/cTyiLN7aR3 @mchappell51 reports pic.twitter.com/YxpTyoEsBs
— WRTV Indianapolis (@wrtv) October 14, 2014
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