Ricardo Allen has decided to retire from football.

The safety spent six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I've always wondered how it would feel giving up what most people would consider to be 'most of me', and that's being a professional athlete," Allen wrote on Instagram.

"But, the truth is, I'm blessed to be able to say that it's been good. It could have been better with two Super Bowl rings, but who's complaining? Not me. Dear, football career. I'm grateful for you, and I'm thankful for the opportunity you gave me to turn nothing but hard work into the foundation of a growing legacy. You've shown me it's not about how you start; it's about how you finish."