Steelers Center Maurkice Pouncey Likely To Retire

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is expected to retire after 11 seasons.

Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pouncey has already informed teammates that he intends to walk away. "Barring a change of heart, (Pouncey) could be making a decision soon," Dulac added.

As a nine-time Pro Bowler, Pouncey is one of the NFL's premier centers. He was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2010 draft.

Pouncey seemed to struggle late in the season -- the most glaring example being the first snap from scrimmage in the AFC Wild Card round vs. the Cleveland Browns, when Pouncey fired the ball beyond Ben Roethlisberger's reach. The Browns recovered it in the end zone on their way to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter, and ultimately, a 48-37 win.

It was all part of a Steelers' nosedive after starting the season 11-0. They then lost five of their final six games, a few in embarrassing fashion. Still, none of that supersedes Pouncey's entire body of work.

His twin brother, Mike, is the center for the Los Angeles Chargers. Maurkice is one minute younger, but very well could retire well before his older sibling.

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Sam Amico spent 15 years covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and NBA.com, along with a few other spots, and currently runs his own basketball website on the side, FortyEightMinutes.com.