Selfless Canberra captain Alan Tongue admits he would have been letting down teammates if he'd tried to play out the remaining year of his contract.
In announcing on Wednesday that he would quit rugby league at the end of the 2011 campaign, the 217-game veteran conceded his battered body was no longer up to the rigours of the NRL.
Tongue had a year to run on his current deal but put the Raiders - and his body - first in departing 12 months early.
"Over the past few seasons I've sustained some injuries which have been hard to fully overcome," he said.
"I know that if I continue to force myself to play with these, I'll be paying for it in the short term by letting down my team mates, but more importantly in the long term by impacting my life after footy."
The workaholic Tongue debuted against Brisbane in 2000 and has gone on to become one of Canberra's most loyal and popular players.
Younger players have been threatening his position over the past couple years but the flame-haired skipper held his spot and now departs on his own terms.
"People will ask why have I decided to retire with a year remaining on my contract and I can say with pride that I've given everything I can to the club, my teammates, the Raiders jersey and the game," Tongue said.
"I am at peace with my decision and I know the time has arrived for me to finish my playing career."
"I am particularly grateful to the Canberra Raiders for the opportunity to represent the club for the past 13 years."
"I am especially thankful for the privilege of captaining the side for the past five seasons."
"I've always been of the belief that rugby league doesn't owe me anything; it's me that owes the game everything and I still firmly hold this belief as I make this announcement today."
"I've enjoyed being part of a team environment. I've felt it always got the best out of me and I hope I've been able to help other's get the best out of themselves."