Eagles long snapper Bartrum retires

When it's your time to go, it's your time to go.

Yesterday, Eagles long snapper Mike Bartrum acknowledged it was his, retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons.

"I can't say enough to show how much I appreciate being able to play in the NFL for so many years," Bartrum said in statement released by the Eagles.

"Retiring as a Philadelphia Eagle is something that is very special for me. The memories I have shared with the players, coaches and Eagles organization are some of the best memories of my life."

Bartrum, who spent the last seven seasons with the Eagles after signing as a free agent in 2000, was placed on the disabled list on Nov. 29, after hurting his neck on a punt return in the third quarter of a 45-21 loss to Indianapolis 3 days earlier. At the time, Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said Bartrum's injuries, which consisted of a chipped vertebrae, a bulging disc and a herniated disc, were likely pre-existing conditions that could eventually be career-ending.

Bartrum hasn't seen the field since. Once the Eagles signed free-agent long snapper Jon Dorenbos to replace him, it was just a matter of time before the 6-4, 245-pounder was expected to retire. In fact, the Eagles already had given away Bartrum's No. 88 jersey to rookie wide receiver Zac Collie in minicamp this year.

Bartrum, who was a quarterback at Marshall, started long snapping while rehabbing a knee injury during his sophomore year. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him as a rookie free agent in 1993 before he went to Green Bay in 1995. He then spent the next 4 years in New England before landing in Philly.

While Bartrum, 36, had appeared in the playoffs 11 of his 13 seasons including two Super Bowl appearances, it's the die-hard football fans of Philadelphia that he will miss most.

"The passion and support of the Philadelphia fans is something I will take with me wherever I go, and I feel truly blessed for having had the opportunity to play in front of them," he said.

As one of the game's most consistent long snappers, Bartrum, a Pro Bowl selection in 2005, also served as a backup tight end. Though he wasn't exactly the go-to guy in short-yardage situations, six of Bartrum's 11 career receptions were for touchdowns. Only Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel has as many touchdowns with fewer than 15 catches.

Eagles coach Andy Reid described Bartrum as a true professional on and off the field.

"Mike Bartrum is one of my all-time favorite guys," said Reid, who was Bartrum's tight-end coach in Green Bay in 1995.

"He came to work every day with a true love for the game and took pride in everything he did. He will be missed by his teammates, his coaches and the rest of the Eagles organization. We wish he and his family all the best in the future."

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