Ex-Lions offensive lineman Rob Sims announces retirement

Rob Sims wanted to play a 10th NFL season and had some interest from the guard-needy Philadelphia Eagles. But the former Detroit Lions offensive lineman said his knees won't allow him to continue playing and announced his retirement tonight in an interview with WJBK-TV (Channel 2).

"That's basically what it was," Sims said in a 5-minute, 26-second segment posted on the station's website. "I went to Philly and I was like, kind of laid it all on the line, I said this is going to be it and we'll see. And before I even got the end result I kind of knew where it was going to head. It wasn't going to be the same not playing for the Lions, either. Of course, me and Dominic Raiola wouldn't be playing together any more."

Sims confirmed his decision in a text message to the Free Press, saying it's "been a great ride."

The Lions parted ways with Sims and Raiola, two longtime starters on their offensive line, this off-season in an effort to get younger and more powerful up front.

Sims started every game the last five years at left guard, and told the Free Press in June he was preparing for his post-playing days. He bought a title company in Birmingham earlier this spring, is a shareholder in a local real estate company, and has 10 rental properties in Michigan and Georgia that he helps manage.

He told Fox 2 that he's ready to focus his energy on his business career and his young family, and he'll join the Lions' radio broadcast for their final preseason game Sept. 3 against the Buffalo Bills.

"I absolutely love the game. Second generation (in the NFL), so it's been our family business," Sims, whose father, Mickey, played in the NFL, said. "My wife's father played as well. You kind of know. It's never going to end the way you see it ending and I've had five great years here in Detroit and went to Philly and wasn't feeling myself, didn't think I'd be able to go like I usually do and it was time to hang it up."

The Lions have used veteran Manny Ramirez at left guard with their first-team offensive line most of the summer, but they drafted Laken Tomlinson in the first round out of Duke as Sims' long-term replacement.

With starting right guard Larry Warford out with an ankle injury, Ramirez practiced at right guard with Tomlinson at left guard today.

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Raiola, who played 14 seasons for the Lions, remains a free agent. He has not yet closed the door on playing one final NFL season, but he's said he'll only return if it's the right situation on a team that has a chance to compete for a championship.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our free Lions Xtra app on your Apple and Android devices.