Carolina Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross has announced that he will retire from the game before the start of the 2014 season.
Gross informed the team at the end of the most recent campaign that he was considering hanging up his pads, and he confirmed the news having mulled his decision over during a skiing trip.
The 33-year-old spent 11 years with the Panthers having been chosen in the first round of the 2003 Draft, going on to make a franchise-record 167 career starts for the team.
Gross was elected to three Pro Bowls during his career, including the 2013 event, while he also played a major role in helping the Panthers to the Super Bowl in his rookie season.
His departure means that the Panthers are likely to dip into free agency or the Draft in an attempt to fill the void left by the veteran, with right tackle Byron Bell the only potential replacement currently on the roster.
Gross is expected to officially announce his decision to the media in a press conference later today.
Barney Corkhill
