After 18 years in the NFL, one of the best and most important players in Seahawks history is calling it a career. Matt Hasselbeck, the quarterback who helped lead Seattle to heights the franchise had not previously reached, announced Wednesday that he is retiring from professional football and will work for ESPN as an analyst.

"As a kid, playing in the NFL was always my dream and it turned out to be way more fun than I could've ever imagined," Hasselbeck said in a press release. "Throughout 18 incredible seasons, I had the chance to forge many relationships with teammates, coaches and staff that I will cherish forever. Those relationships made my playing career all the more memorable. With the support of my family, we've made the decision to embark on the next chapter. I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to have represented the NFL and so many great teams."

Hasselbeck spent his final five seasons in Tennessee and Indianapolis, but the three-time Pro Bowler will always be a big part of Seahawks history. And while Hasselbeck's NFL career continued beyond his 10 seasons with the Seahawks, he did get something of a storybook ending to his playing days in Seattle.

In his final home game, Hasselbeck led the 7-9 NFC West champion Seahawks to a stunning upset victory over the defending champion New Orleans Saints. Years later, that game is best remembered for Marshawn Lynch's "Beast Quake" run that helped clinch victory, but what should not be forgotten is how well Hasselbeck played to put the Seahawks in position to win that game. In his second to last game as a Seahawk, and last at CenturyLink Field, Hasselbeck completed 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Seahawks be the unlikely victors of a 41-36 a shootout with Saints.

After the game, Hasselbeck, a free-agent-to-be, walked off the field with his son Henry on his shoulders and daughters Mallory and Annabelle at his side.