Center Todd McClure retires after 14 seasons in Atlanta, says 'I'll be a Falcon for life'

ATLANTA – Falcons owner Arthur Blank says Todd McClure is bound for the team's Ring of Honor.

McClure, the Falcons' center for 14 years, officially announced his retirement on Monday in a ceremony attended by teammates Matt Ryan, Tyson Clabo, Sam Baker and Justin Blalock.

Blank says McClure deserves to join such former stars as Deion Sanders, Tommy Nobis and Steve Bartkowski in the team's Ring of Honor.

McClure was a seventh-round pick out of LSU in 1999 and went on to become one of the team's most durable players. He set a franchise record with 148 consecutive starts and missed only four games over the last 12 seasons.

The 36-year-old McClure was emotional at times, including when he looked at his teammates. McClure said he was grateful he played only for the Falcons. "I'll be a Falcon for life," he said.