Syracuse, N.Y. -- Former Syracuse football linebacker Parris Bennett is retiring due to health concerns, he announced on Instagram.

Bennett, an NFL rookie, was placed on the reserve/retired list by the Green Bay Packers.

"Today I made the hardest decision of my life, to walk away from the game I love," Bennett wrote. "I've given everything to this sport but I know my health is ultimately the most important thing. 15 years with this game and I have no regrets. I just hope I made everyone around me proud. On to the next chapter. I'll always love this game."

A three-year starter for the Orange, known for his durability and versatility, Bennett turned in back-to-back 100 tackle seasons as an upperclassman -- becoming the first Syracuse player to accomplish that since Keith Bullock in 1998-99. He earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors twice and left Central New York with 273 tackles, including 22 for loss, and fourteen career games with 10-plus tackles.

Bennett was a leader of the Orange defense and widely respected throughout the locker room. He was selected to play in the 2018 East-West Shrine Game before being signed by the Packers as a free agent in April.

Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email.