The Bears prepared for life without him, signing former Canadian Football Leaguer Chad Rempel and Houston grad Brandon Hartson, who handed the snapping duties during rookie minicamp, organized team activities and mandatory mini-camp. Mannelly said he was reassured by kicker Robbie Gould that the two could handle the duties, “which makes me more comfortable with my decision.”
“And that’s part of it, too,” he said. “I don’t wanna let Robbie down or the team down if they can’t be left with somebody that can get the ball back to them like it needs to be done.”
Mannelly, who turned 39 during the offseason, was drafted from Duke in the sixth round in 1998.
His 245 games played are tied for 43rd-most in NFL history. He played in all 16 games 12 times.
Chairman George McCaskey said the family “will miss having him in uniform.”
“It’s difficult to talk about Patrick as a player in the past tense,” he said in a release. “He played more seasons than any other Bear. He played in more games than any other Bear. And every season, every game, he was a pro’s pro. He was a captain, someone his teammates looked up to and sought guidance, direction and inspiration, and he provided it.
“Our family is very grateful for all he has done. Not just for the way he’s played on the field, but the way he has carried himself off the field. He’s the epitome of what a Chicago Bear is all about.”
Article Appeared @http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/inside-the-bears/bears-snapper-patrick-mannelly-to-retire-after-19-years/