Monday 29 December 2014 17:22, UK
Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton has announced his retirement from the NFL after 10 years.
Orton contemplated retirement last summer before being picked up by the Bills, for whom he went on to start 12 games and complete one final season of success.
He finished his career on a high with a 17-9 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, a result that secured a winning season for the Bills for the first time since 2004.
The 32-year-old started his career with the Chicago Bears, where he spent four seasons, and he went on to represent the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys.
Orton completed 287 of his 447 passes for 3,018 yards and he threw 18 touchdowns, combining especially well with rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
"I just have been going at it for 10 years and it’s just a family decision and I’ve decided to get home and be a dad and call it a day," Orton said.
“I think I’ve been away from my parents since going to college, so 14 years.
"Anytime you have a chance to end on a good note and go home and spend time with family that’s really important to me and my wife and we’re just excited to move on."
Orton's retirement will most likely mean a return to a starting role for EJ Manuel next season, and he is confident the youngster, a first round pick in the 2013 draft, has the quality to become a decent NFL quarterback.
"The sky is the limit for EJ," he added. "He’s got all the ability in the world. I hope having a veteran guy around kind of showing the way a little bit helped him.
"I guess we’ll wait and see, but he’s a good quarterback. He’s got his head on his shoulders and he’ll be fine."
