Former Steelers offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva has announced his retirement from the NFL.
His current team, the Baltimore Ravens, made the announcement office on Wednesday afternoon.
While he struggled in his final year in the NFL, Villanueva never missed a start during his six years in Pittsburgh and one in Baltimore.
An undrafted tight end out of the United States Military Academy, Villanueva signed with the Steelers in 2014 after a previous opportunity with Philadelphia.
The 6’9”, 320 pound Mississippi native was selected to a pair of Pro Bowls, in 2017 and 2018.
Back in 2017, Villanueva apologized after he was seen alone at the end of the tunnel while the rest of the team waited inside during the playing of the National Anthem. This episode came during the controversial silent protest made famous by Colin Kaepernick.
Villanueva served three tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Army Ranger and received a Bronze Star for valor during his service.
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