Former Iowa Hawkeye All-America offensive lineman Eric Steinbach retires after nine NFL seasons

There was a poignant segment in Tuesday night's "Hard Knocks" when 9-year NFL veteran offensive lineman Eric Steinbach tells Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin that he simply can't compete the way he wants.

Like most 9-year NFL guys, injuries had taken their toll on Steinbach. He chose not to be a hanger-on, and Wednesday morning announced his retirement from football.

The 32-year-old played in 125 games (starting all but one) for the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Miami signed him as a free agent in the offseason.

In 2007, Cleveland signed Steinbach to a 7-year, $49.5 million contract. The former Iowa Hawkeye got most of that money.

Steinbach was a second-round draft pick in 2003 after being a first-team All-America player for Iowa's 2002 Orange Bowl squad. He came to Iowa as a tight end, and left as a star offensive lineman.