INDIANAPOLIS – Another player from the pre-Chuck Pagano era is entering retirement.
On Tuesday morning, Fishers native Joe Reitz announced the 2016 season would be his last after seven years playing for the Indianapolis Colts.
Since joining the Colts practice squad in 2010, Reitz would go on to play in 73 career games for his hometown team.
The ever-versatile Reitz started 44 times at four different positions up front (everywhere but center).
"I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to coach Joe for five seasons here in Indianapolis," head coach Chuck Pagano said in a team release. "He stood out as a selfless player who was respected by his teammates in addition to being a tremendous family man.
"As a native of the Indianapolis area, Joe made an impact on the community he grew up in. He demonstrated how one should conduct himself on and off the field and all Hoosiers and Colts fans alike should be proud of the way he represented himself. We are thankful for Joe's contributions to this organization and wish him the best moving forward."
Reitz, 31, has been a pillar in the local community, dipping his hand in a plethora of endeavors around Indianapolis/Indiana.
For his community involvement, Reitz was named the Colts Man of the Year this past season.
Easily one of the most well-respected guys in the locker room, Reitz was a favorite inside the Colts offensive line room. In 2015, Reitz was also selected by his teammates as the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.
"I've decided to step away from the game I love and retire," Reitz said in a message to Colts fans.
"I want to thank you for all your support these last seven years and, as a native Hoosier, I look forward to staying in this community for the rest of my life, getting a chance to interact with everybody, serve the great people of Indianapolis and Indiana and look forward to being a Colts fan and sharing your passion for life."
Reitz, a former college basketball player at Western Michigan, retires with one year remaining on his contract.
With Reitz retired, Adam Vinatieri and Anthony Castonzo are the only Colts left from the pre-Chuck Pagano era.
Robert Mathis, Pat McAfee and Reitz have all retired this past year.
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