Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo is hanging up the cleats.

Castonzo announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday morning.

“As a kid, it was my dream to play in the NFL,” Castonzo said in a statement, via the team website. “I played my first full season of tackle football in second grade. Now I have played my last. As I sit here now, after a 10 year NFL career, I am extremely proud of all the hard work and sacrifice that allowed me to evolve that dream into a goal, and ultimately into a reality unlike anything I could have even imagined.”

The Athletic's Stephen Holder noted that Castonzo, 32, had committed to playing through the 2021 season, but a recent ankle injury and requisite surgery accelerated his retirement timeline. Castonzo apparently considered retirement after last season before re-upping for two years.

The lineman was a steady presence on the Indianapolis O-Line for a decade, starting 144 games over 10 seasons. The Colts drafted Castonzo out of Boston College with the no. 22 overall pick in 2011.

While certainly appreciated amongst Colts fans, Castonzo is one of the most underrated players of his era. Despite offering dependable — and often excellent — blind-side protection for Colts QBs such Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, and Jacoby Brissett, Castonzo was never selected to a Pro Bowl.

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“The Colts have been blessed with many talented offensive linemen throughout our rich history and Anthony Castonzo is among the best to represent the Horseshoe,” Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay said in a statement. “For 10 seasons, Anthony consistently handled premier pass rushers at one of the toughest positions to play. He quickly developed into the leader of our offensive line and set a standard for preparation, strength and conditioning, and play.”

Castonzo started 12 games in 2020.

Indy's season ended on Saturday with a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round.