Patrick Kerney’s mind remained willing, but his body had other thoughts.
The veteran defensive end announced his retirement on Tuesday, despite saying earlier this offseason that he planned to return for a fourth season with the Seahawks – and 12th in the NFL.
After having surgery in each of the past four seasons, Kerney decided enough was enough.
“Despite the desire to continue my career, I am retiring from professional football,” Kerney said in a statement released by the team. “The toll that has been taken on my body will no longer allow me to train, and hence, perform at a level that is acceptable to me.
“It has been a privilege to work for two first-class organizations that are supported by passionate, inspirational fans,” added Kerney, who was a first-round draft choice by the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. “I cannot express enough gratitude to all who have supported me through my career.”
It was oft-injured tight end Christian Fauria who once joked that he had enough screws in his body to construct a bridge. But Fauria had nothing on Kerney, who will be 34 in December.
After playing in 112 consecutive games – including 96 starts in a row – during his first seven seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Kerney’s relentless style of play began to catch up with him. He missed the final seven games in 2006, his last season with the Falcons, because he needed surgery to repair a torn right pectoral.
Even though he still was recovering from that procedure, the Seahawks signed Kerney to a six-year, $39.5 million contract when he became an unrestricted free agent in March 2007.
“In our preparations, we always had to prepare for him,” then-coach Mike Holmgren said after the Seahawks signed Kerney. “You prepare for the other team’s defense, but in playing (the Falcons) you had to prepare for him. I have always looked at that as kind of a compliment for a defensive player.
“He’s a special player.”
Kerney started 16 games in that first season with the Seahawks, and for the seventh time in his career. But he needed postseason surgery after collecting 14½ sacks and being voted to the Pro Bowl. Kerney was named NFC defensive player of the month for November, when he had seven sacks among his 15 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception in four games. He was also named 2007 NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2008, he was limited to seven games because of labrum and wrist injuries. Last season, he missed two starts because of a groin injury and then needed elbow surgery in January.
When you play the position Kerney played, and the way he played it, those things will happen. Even to someone who takes immaculate care of his 6-foot-5, 272-pound body.
“It’s tough to see guys you play next to move on – especially someone who is such a warrior, like Patrick,” defensive tackle 
“That’s what makes this so difficult. I know it’s just part of the game, but we played through a lot together and he was such a big part of the camaraderie in our unit.”
Kerney also led the Seahawks in sacks last season (five) and was second in 2008 (five), despite his limited action. In three seasons with the Seahawks, Kerney played in 37 games, producing 116 tackles and 24½ sacks – running NFL totals to 659 tackles and 82½ sacks. He had double-digit sacks four times – 12 in 2001, 10½ in 2002, and 13 in 2004 while with the Falcons; and his career-high total in 2007 with the Seahawks.
Only two players in franchise history produced more sacks in a single season than Kerney: Michael Sinclair, 16½ in 1998; and Jacob Green, 16 in 1983.
Kerney also was named the Seahawks’ Man of the Year in 2008 for his efforts in the community.
