Tight end Ben Ellefson, the Hawley native and Vikings reserve, announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.
Ellefson, who turns 27 in September, had stints on active rosters with the Jaguars and Vikings, most recently earning the No. 3 job out of last year's training camp. But over three NFL seasons, Ellefson had four stints on injured reserve — including twice last season because of a lingering groin injury.
"I'm proud to say I've given the game of football everything I have," Ellefson wrote in a social media post. "Injuries are a part of the game and although they are a big reason for me moving on, I am fortunate to be in a spot where I can still walk away from the game as a player, ready to tackle whatever is next in my life.