NFL | Steve McNair retires after 13-year run

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Steve McNair intended to complete the final three years of his contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He worked hard during the offseason and arrived at minicamp ready to assume his role as the starting quarterback.

His body had other plans.

McNair announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 13-year career in which he was selected co-MVP, led the Tennessee Titans to the Super Bowl and orchestrated the most successful regular season in the Ravens history. He received a standing ovation from teammates after revealing his decision, then contained his emotions during a hastily arranged news conference.

"Coming out and making this decision, it was hard," he said. "In your mind, you feel like you can play, that you can still compete. But when your mind and your body are not in accord, it's not going to work in the National Football League.

"My mind was there. Mentally, I could go out and play. But physically, I couldn't do it anymore. Not to the capacity that I need to help my teammates win a football game."

The 35-year-old McNair guided the Ravens to a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2006, his first season in Baltimore. But he injured his groin during the season opener last season and never regained the form that enabled him to earn a berth in four Pro Bowls.

McNair began his career in 1995 with the Houston Oilers, who eventually became the Tennessee Titans. He led the team to four playoff appearances, including the Super Bowl after the 1999 season. He was chosen co-MVP of the league in 2003, sharing the award with Peyton Manning, after throwing for 3,215 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.

Linebacker Ray Lewis, who had many memorable duels with McNair before the two became teammates, said, "There is no greater warrior or player with a bigger heart than Steve McNair. He came into this game and gave it everything he had. He now can walk away with his head held high."

Notes

• The Green Bay Packers will retire Brett Favre's No. 4 during the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 8. Favre announced his retirement earlier this year, ending a 17-year career.

• The Kansas City Chiefs are in discussions with several teams about trading DE Jared Allen, who led the NFL in sacks last season. Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson issued a statement confirming the team has discussed Allen with a few teams interested in acquiring the Chiefs' designated franchise player. The Chiefs and Allen have been unable to work out a contract for almost a year.

• Billionaire developer Edward P. Roski Jr. has made a commitment to build the kind of stadium an NFL team needs to thrive in Los Angeles. Now, he's hoping one will commit to play there.

Roski, a part owner of the Kings and Lakers who has spent years trying to lure the NFL back to this area, unveiled plans for a 75,000-seat facility in the City of Industry he said could be finished in time for the 2011 season and will not need taxpayer dollars.

• Arizona Cardinals LB Karlos Dansby signed a one-year tender offer worth just over $8 million as the team's franchise player. Intermittent talks about a long-term deal have stalled. The Cardinals and Dansby have until July 15 to reach a multiyear contract. If they don't, Dansby can't sign a new contract until after the coming NFL season.