Ricardo Allen Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals S Ricardo Allen announces retirement

Cincinnati Bengals safety Ricardo Allen announced his retirement on Monday at the age of 30.

"Dear, football career. I'm grateful for you, and I'm thankful for the opportunity you gave me to turn nothing but hard work into the foundation of a growing legacy," Allen wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday, adding with the help of a couple laughing-face emojis, "It could have been better with two Super Bowl rings, but who’s complaining? Not me...."

Cincinnati's Super Bowl appearance was the second Allen took part in over the course of his career. Prior to playing with the Bengals, the Purdue product spent seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and made it to the big dance in which Atlanta's second-half collapse helped the New England Patriots win another Super Bowl. 

Allen was set to become a free agent this offseason.

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