Steelers Digest is reporting via Twitter that Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive lineman Chris Hoke will be holding a press conference on Thursday to announce his retirement. Hoke played 11 seasons with the Steelers after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Brigham Young in 2001.
Hoke dressed for 114 regular season games for the Steelers and recorded 83 regular season tackles, 2 quarterback sacks and had 1 fumble recovery as he mostly served as a back up nose tackle. He did however start 18 regular season games over the course of his career due to injuries suffered on the defensive line. During those 18 starts the Steelers were 17-1.
Hoke had neck surgery back in early December last season reportedly because of a result of multiple neck stingers suffered. The last one he suffered was against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 6 and he never played another down after that. Hoke is currently an unrestricted free agent once again heading into 2012 and had signed a one-year deal prior to the start of the 2011 season. He was a huge asset to the Steelers during his career, not only on the field, but in the locker room as well. You never heard anyone say anything bad about Hoke and he will be missed by his teammates and the fans.
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