Updated

All Jeremy Mincey wanted to do was play for the Dallas Cowboys. When that wasn't an option, the veteran defensive end decided to retire Tuesday.

According to the Sporting News, Mincey had two offers to play during the preseason, but a source told the outlet that "his heart was in one place," which was Dallas.

Mincey, who had offseason elbow surgery, spent the past two years with the Cowboys. But when Dallas showed no interest in re-signing the nine-year veteran, he opted to walk away, announcing the decision on Instagram.

"I played the game with love, passion and relentlessly to prove to people your heart will take you as far as you want it to go," Mincey wrote on Instagram. "Trust me. I had half the talent a lot of guys had in this league. What separated me from the others was my will for victory."