Willie McGinest, Images from TouchingAlltheBases and SI.com

The New England Patriots’ fourth pick overall in the 1994 draft, outside linebacker Willie McGinest, is calling it quits at the close of the ’08-’09 season, as reported by SI.com. The USC protege was selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his 14 year NFL career, first in 1996, then seven years later in 2003. He stayed with the Pats for 14 years and was a cornerstone in their ’01, ’03 and ’04 Super Bowl victories. In a 2006 wild-card game, McGinest recorded 4.5 sacks (an NFL postseason record), in addition to holding the all-time post-season sack record with 16. McGinest moved to the Browns in ’06-’07 with a three-year contract, where he will remain until his contract expires.

McGinest hopes to lead the Browns to the playoffs in his final, 15th season in the league. He will be 37 years old when he removes his helmet for the last time.