The Detroit Lions placed CB Rashean Mathis on the Reserve/Retired list today.

“On behalf of the entire Detroit Lions organization, I want to congratulate Rashean Mathis on his retirement from the National Football League. Rashean is one of the finest players and, more importantly, finest people that I’ve had the honor to coach,” said Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell.

Caldwell went on to say, “He was the consummate pro both on and off the field and was exemplary in his approach to the game. I always admired Rashean when I coached against him, but the past two seasons gave me an even greater level of respect for him as a man and as a player.”

“His leadership and example to our younger players was invaluable and something I know will have a lasting impact on every one of his teammates. We wish him the best of luck as he enters his next journey.”

Mathis was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round (39th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Bethune-Cookman, where he played 10 seasons (2003-12). Mathis joined the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in 2013 and appeared in 38 games (36 starts) for the Lions over the past three seasons.

He finished his career having played 175 games and registered 32 interceptions, 553 interception return yards and 133 pass defenses, and he also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise career records with 30 interceptions.