Penn State Football great Sean Lee announces retirement from NFL

Former Penn State Football standout Sean Lee announced his retirement from the NFL Monday.

After 11 seasons in the NFL, Lee told ESPN he will be retiring.

Lee was a two-time Pro Bowler, and a first-team All Pro selection in 2016.  Despite a career filled win injuries, Lee was the heart and sole of the Dallas Cowboys defense for over a decade, after one of the most dominant careers ever by a Nittany Lions linebacker.

Sean Lee holds the Dallas Cowboys’ single game record for tackles, when he recorded a whopping 22 tackles vs the New York Giants in 2016.  Lee also added 14 interceptions, finding the end zone twice on returns to go with five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

The Cowboys have been trying to draft his replacement for the past few years, using early picks on Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame) and Lehighton Vander Esch (Boise State) but none have found the success that Sean Lee had.

Lee was born Upper St. Clair Township and saw great success in the blue and white.  He was named a captain in the 2008 season (despite being injured and out all year due to an ACL tear) and was elected again the next year.  He was the 2007 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP and led the Lions to two Bowl wins (2007 Alamo Bowl, 2010 Capital One Bowl).  His perforamnce led to the Cowboys drafting Sean Lee in the 2nd round (55th pick overall).

Following Monday’s announcement, maybe we’ll see Sean Lee back home again soon, on the sidelines at Beaver Stadium!