Michael Bennett announced on social media Tuesday that he's retiring after 11 seasons in the NFL.

The defensive end is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and tallied 69.5 career sacks. He was a member of the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII championship team.

"Retiring feels a little like death of self, but I'm looking forward to the rebirth -- the opportunity to reimagine my purpose," Bennett wrote on Instragram. "I would like to thank my wife and children, who have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. I'm looking forward to supporting them the same way they have me these past 11 years. I have never been more at peace in my life.

"As the great Toni Morrison said: 'Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.'