49ers' Doleman ends 14-year NFL career
Posted: Saturday January 09, 1999 07:44 PM
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Doleman finished the regular season with 15 sacks, the second-highest total in his 14-year career Rick Stewart/Allsport |
ATLANTA (AP) -- San Francisco defensive end Chris Doleman wrapped up
one of his best seasons Saturday and also closed the book on his
illustrious career.
Following the 49ers' 20-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the
37-year-old Doleman formally announced his retirement.
"This is it," said Doleman, who still faces surgery to repair a torn left
pectoral muscle he played with for last six weeks. "You'll miss it but it's
time to move on. It's time to do different things."
Doleman finished the regular season with 15 sacks, the second-highest total
in his 14-year career. He had 21 in 1989 while with Minnesota, where he
spent the first nine years of his career. He also played for Atlanta, where
he resides, before coming to San Francisco three years ago.
Doleman, who has said he plans to buy and operate a car dealership,
finished with 142.5 sacks to rank fourth all-time in NFL history.
"The 14 years, they went by in a blur, really," Doleman said. "The only
thing I wish would have happened a little differently is that I would have
won a ring along the way but I have no regrets."
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