<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Roaf says he is finished playing pro football</span><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- In May, he said he was eager to tack one more year onto his great career. In July, he sent a jolt through the Kansas City Chiefs when he retired on the eve of training camp.And on Thursday, Willie Roaf said he is done playing professional football.In a high-rise law office in downtown Kansas City, far removed from the stadiums and the cheers, the 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle who helped pave the way for one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses said his body couldn't take one more season."I often took my body for granted and played without thinking about tomorrow," Roaf said, reading from a statement. "I played hard and played only as if I was in the NFL for a couple of seasons. And 14 years later I stand beside you and realize I will no longer play football."Roaf had called the informal news conference to discuss the pleas of Kansas City fans and football announcers who asked that he return to the franchise. He sought to clear the air about his future and dispel any rumors he might return next season.After reading the brief statement, in which he addressed none of those concerns, Roaf crumpled up his paper and walked from the room.Chiefs president Carl Peterson, who held out hope Roaf would reconsider, finally acknowledged his intentions on Wednesday. After "a lengthy conversation" with the star offensive lineman, Peterson said the club would switch his roster status from reserve/did not report to reserve/retired."I've gone through this retirement process with players many times," Peterson said. "With John Alt, Tim Grunhard, Marcus Allen and Joe Montana. It is never easy."The last few seasons haven't been easy for Roaf, either.He spent much of last year struggling through nagging injuries that sidelined him for several games. He lamented his ailing hamstring, said it took longer and longer to recover after each game, and questioned whether it was all worth it."As a young player my body would heal much faster," said Roaf, who turned 36 on April 16. "Following a Sunday game I would feel good by Monday. Last year my body never felt good. For the first time in my career, I really believed my talents were declining."But after the season, Roaf was back at work in Kansas City, running and training with the exuberance of a newly drafted rookie. He said the Chiefs' 37-3 romp over playoff-bound Cincinnati in their finale was the impetus to give it one last go -- one last shot at that elusive Super Bowl.Then, without warning, he changed his mind."During the offseason I began to feel better and truly believed I would play for one more year," he said. "I was very angry and unable to accept the fact that my greatest asset, my body, has somehow let me down."After making his decision, Roaf declined to speak to Peterson or his Chiefs teammates. The news of his retirement reached Kansas City's camp in River Falls, Wis., through the media.Only later did he talk with tight end Tony Gonzalez and guard Will Shields, who not long ago flew to California and spent a night at Roaf's home."I now accept the fact that I will not play football again," Roaf said. "I am sorry I did not address this earlier, but my main focus has been coming to grips with that fact."Later in the season, Kansas City will hold a recognition ceremony for Roaf, who was drafted in the first round by New Orleans and traded to the Chiefs in 2002. But that ceremony comes with a palpable tension in Kansas City.Coach Herm Edwards has refused to discuss Roaf's retirement since the beginning of training camp. The mammoth left tackle's decision has drawn the consternation of many Chiefs fans who watched quarterback Trent Green get knocked unconscious in last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.Edwards reiterated Wednesday that the Chiefs will "try to win with the players you have," but public sentiment is that the years of high-flying offenses are over.Kansas City quarterbacks were sacked seven times by the Bengals, and Larry Johnson was held without 100 yards rushing for the first time in 10 games.Though a spokesman, Roaf refused to discuss the current state of the Chiefs. He said he has spoken with Green since his injury, but declined to discuss details of the conversation. He did not answer questions that followed him out the door.Instead, a man of few words simply said he's through.</div>
