Moments after reports surfaced naming Jay Cutler as FOX Sports’ newest NFL analyst, the former Chicago quarterback announced his retirement from the NFL. He played 11 seasons in the NFL after his four-year playing career at Vanderbilt.

Cutler’s lengthy retirement statement gives a clear indication as to why he has decided to walk away from other potential playing opportunities in the NFL and mentioned the many people who helped him along his way to making, and eventually playing, at the game’s highest level.

I don’t know if retirement is the right word; I don’t feel that anyone ever really retires from the NFL. You are either forced to leave, or you lose the desire to do what’s required to keep going. I’m in between those situations at this point in my life.

Words can’t express how grateful I am to everyone who helped me along my journey, I started playing tackle football at the age of 10 and was so lucky to have supportive parents and great coaches along the way that made my path possible. If I listed each person individually, this would quickly turn into an essay, but you know who you are and I wouldn’t be in this situation without you. So thank you.

To my parents, my sisters, my wife and kids–thank you for putting your wants and needs on the back burner while I played a game very (sic) Friday, Saturday or Sunday. You made it all possible.

I recently read a quote that struck a cord with me at the time. It was attributed to Henry Rollins (but with the Internet these days, you can never be too sure who really said it). “I did that, I gave everything I had to give to that. Now, if I returned to that it would be repetition – it might be fun repetition, but it wouldn’t be meaningful repetition.”

Thank you to everyone along the way. You made the dream come true.