METAIRIE, La. -- Zach Strief operated in the shadows for most of his 12-year career with the New Orleans Saints. But the 34-year-old right tackle got the grand send-off he deserved when he officially announced his retirement Monday at the team's practice facility.
Past and present teammates including Drew Brees, Steve Gleason, Deuce McAllister, Mark Ingram and Cameron Jordan were in attendance, as well as owner Gayle Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis, coach Sean Payton, and Strief's parents, wife and newborn son.
"My career here has exceeded my wildest imagination.