December 31, 2012
Chiefs veteran offensive lineman Ryan Lilja, who helped block for Peyton Manning during the Indianapolis Colts' Super Bowl-winning 2006 season, announced his retirement Monday.
Lilja said he was going to "hang it up" after the Chiefs finished a 2-14 season with a 38-3 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Lilja played guard his entire career until injuries forced him to play the majority of this season at center.
Lilja said he relished the opportunity to learn a new position, even though he knew at the beginning of the season that it would likely be his last in the NFL.
A starter in 104 of 111 career games, he also said he appreciated the chance to finish his career with his hometown team. The former Kansas State star spent his first five seasons in Indianapolis and the last three in Kansas City.
