Giants' Hamilton calls it quits after 12 years

[WebHamster]

East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Giants defensive lineman Keith Hamilton announced his retirement on Friday after spending all 12 of his NFL seasons in New York.

"I've been thinking about it since I walked off the field against Carolina (in the 2003 season finale)," Hamilton said. "It took me a while. I've been going back and forth with it for a couple of weeks. I've talked about it with my family, and it's time for me to move on."

In his career, the Pittsburgh product has recorded 63 sacks and 526 tackles in 173 games.

"Keith Hamilton was a throwback football player," general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "He could have played in the '50's with the Gino Marchettis, the Len Fords, the Big Daddy Lipscombs and the Andy Robestellis, or in the '60's with Joe Greene, Deacon Jones and Alan Page."

Hamilton helped the Giants to three postseason appearances, including the 2000 campaign when New York fell to Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV.