After nine years of playing in the NFL, former Texans defensive back Danieal Manning has decided it's time to move on to something else.
The 32-year-old told CBS affiliate KILT-AM in Houston on Tuesday that he's ready to officially call it a career.
"It's time," Manning said. "There wasn't a particular reason other than I wanted to go back to school and earn my degree so I can start coaching."
Manning started his career in Chicago after the Bears made him the 42nd overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Manning started 14 games during his rookie year, a season that ended in the Super Bowl when the Bears lost to the Colts.
After five seasons with the Bears, Manning signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the Texans prior to the 2011 season, where he ended up playing the final four seasons of his career.
"I'm thrilled about my four years with the Texans," Manning said. "When the Texans gave me a chance to return to my home state and play for them, I said I'm going to do it."
Manning was born in Texas and attended college there at Abilene Christian, which was a big reason why he ended up signing with the Texans, despite the fact that the team had never had a winning record before he signed in 2011.
"A lot of my friends around the country didn’t understand why I would want to sign with the Texans, but I couldn’t wait to get here," Manning said.
Manning, who was a free agent before retiring on Tuesday, played in all 16 games and started five for the Texans in 2014.
During Manning's four years in Houston, he started a total of 40 games and made the playoffs twice with the Texans.
