Veteran defensive lineman Mike DeVito has decided to call it a career after nine NFL seasons. DeVito made the announcement in a story for The Drive, going into some detail about his own history with football, including the years before he became an NFL player.
“I want to thank the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs and all the amazing people I have met throughout my career,” DeVito wrote at the end of his piece. “To all my family, friends, and fans, thank you for making an average player feel like a Hall of Famer. And to the game of football, thank you for the past 18 years, all the memories, and the lessons that will continue to serve me for the rest of my life.”
An undrafted free agent out of Maine, DeVito caught on with the Jets for the 2007 season, and ultimately played 82 regular season games (38 starts) for Gang Green over the next six seasons.
The veteran defender joined the Chiefs in 2013, and has spent the last three years in Kansas City. In 2015, he established a new career high by picking up three sacks in a part-time role. For his career, he totaled 110 regular season games (57 starts) and played in another nine postseason games, including two this year with the Chiefs.
DeVito, who turns 32 in June, had seen his contract with the Chiefs expire last month, so his decision to retire won’t have an impact on Kansas City’s cap. And if he does have a change of heart at any point, DeVito would be free to sign with any team.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.