Cardinals tight end Carlson announces retirement

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer, right, celebrates with teammate John Carlson. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals tight end John Carlson has announced his retirement from football, a week shy of his 31st birthday.

In a statement released by the team, Carlson said that after "much thought and consideration," he and his wife Danielle decided this was the best decision.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pound Carlson played seven NFL seasons with Seattle, Minnesota and Arizona. He had a history of concussions before signing with the Cardinals last off-season.

With Arizona, Carlson played in 16 games, 12 as a starter, catching 33 passes for 350 yards and a touchdown. A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks out of Notre Dame in 2008, Carlson played in 90 games, with 210 catches for 2,256 yards and 15 touchdowns.

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