Originally published Monday, August 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Seahawks' Chris Gray retires

Seahawks offensive lineman Chris Gray, a 15-year NFL veteran who set a club record with his 121st consecutive regular-season start in 2006, announced his retirement Monday morning at team headquarters.

By José Miguel Romero

Seattle Times staff reporter

KIRKLAND — Seahawks offensive lineman Chris Gray, a 15-year NFL veteran who set a club record with his 121st consecutive regular-season start in 2006, announced his retirement Monday morning at team headquarters.

Gray, 38, decided to leave the game on Saturday after talking with Seahawks doctors, who informed him that he was at risk for major injury, even paralysis, after examining his lower back and spine. Gray was injured in a training camp practice on July 26 when he hit a blocking sled and felt a pop in his back.

Gray said the doctors' determination "hit me like a ton of bricks." He said he'd always prided himself on playing through pain after such a long career and figured he'd be back to practice after a couple of weeks of rehabilitation.

"It's kind of a blessing, because they said it was kind of like Mack Strong's injury last year. It was kind of a warning shot," Gray said.

Gray is expected to fully recover. The team placed him on injured reserve, ending his season, and signed defensive lineman Kevin Brown to replace him on the roster.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com

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