Roughriders DB Eddie Davis retires

Defensive back Eddie Davis announced his retirement Thursday, concluding a 15-year CFL career.

"I've actually been thinking about it for the past couple years," said Davis, 37.

He said he began to seriously consider leaving the game in the last two weeks.

"I've had times being up at night just thinking about it," David said. "Retiring and being at home with my family.

"This morning I woke up and looked at my son's face. He was smiling at me. I looked at my daughter and ... the sun was shining outside, and I just knew it was time for me to walk away," he said.

Davis, who spent the last nine seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, played 236 regular-season games and amassed 801 defensive tackles, 112 special-team tackles, 111 pass knockdowns, 34 interceptions and 16 quarterback sacks.

He captured two Grey Cups — one with the Calgary Stampeders in 1998 and the other with the Riders in 2007.

"I want to thank everyone that's ever been involved in my football career, but football is over for me," Davis said in a statement that accompanied the team's announcement.

"Having time to think, think, and think some more, I'm happy to say that football needs me more than I need football, but nobody needs me more than my family."

The Eastern Illinois product joined the CFL in 1995 when he signed as a free agent with the Birmingham Barracudas. He was then selected in the 1996 U.S. team dispersal draft by Calgary, where he remained until signing with the Riders in 2001.

He was also named a CFL all-star three times and a West Division all-star five times.

"It's a sad day for us in Riderville," Ken Miller, the club's head coach, said in the announcement. "But we understand that Eddie must do what is best for him and his family."