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Jake Locker calls time on injury-hit career in NFL

Jake Locker:  The former first-round pick has disappointed with the Tennessee Titans.
Image: Jake Locker: Struggled with injuries

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker has announced his retirement after just four years in the NFL.

The team's former first-round pick in 2011 - eighth overall - was prone to injury, never playing a full NFL season.

He was once thought of as a prime dual-threat quarterback when he played at the University of Washington, but that didn't come to fruition in the professional ranks.

"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," Locker said in a statement. 

"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 organisation with whom I would eventually sign. I realise 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." 

Locker earned $12.5m in his four years in Nashville, but after his injury problems he was going to struggle to get another contract with the Titans.

In 2014 he started in five games, throwing for 993 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He lost four out of five of those games, with a QB rating of 51.06.

Locker finished his four-year career with 4,967 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, as well as a 9-14 career record.

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