Former Steelers Tackle Max Starks Retires

Early Thursday morning, former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks announced he was officially retiring from professional football.  Via social media site, Twitter, Starks posted the following:

 

It’s official! I’ve retired from the @NFL & my #sportsbroadcasting career begins on the largest stage #SuperBowlXLIX #RadioRow

— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) January 29, 2015

The Orlando, Florida native spent ten seasons in the National Football League after being drafted in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida (Gators) by the Steelers.  Starks left the Steelers in free agency after the 2012 season and spent time with both the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams in 2013 before playing his final season with the Arizona Cardinals (2014).

After becoming an offensive starter at right tackle during the 2005 season, Starks helped lead Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl Championship.  Although he shared time with Willie Colon during the 2007 season, he moved to the left tackle position in place of an injured Marvel Smith and earned a transition tag allowing him to sign a one-year, $6.95 million tender offer on April 19, 2008.  Following the Super Bowl XLIII victory, Starks was once again signed by Pittsburgh to a four-year $26.3 million contract.  Although released by the team on July 28, 2011, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger famously petitioned for Starks’ return by wearing the number ’78’ jersey and Starks was re-signed on October 5, 2011 and then again in 2012.

Knee injuries hampered Starks’ performance in the latter years of his career but nothing could do the same to his heart.  The son of former pro defensive lineman Ross Browner, Starks went on a USO tour in 2006 around U.S. military bases as well as a visit to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (2005).  Starks also served as a tutor in the Gainesville, Florida area working to promote the dangers of drug, alcohol and tobacco use.  One of Starks’ biggest off-field contributions was working with and serving as a member of Cents of Relief, a charity aimed at preventing human trafficking and offering healthcare, food and shelter options to women in vulnerable social situations and their children.  Most recently, Starks was involved with the AutoNation Cure Bowl  that matched the AAC vs the Sun Belt at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, where he helped judge the Chili Cookoff. Proceeds went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.