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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Wide receiver Andre Johnson says his mother taught him when people decide to take their leave they should exit the same way they entered.That explains why he quietly retired midway through his 14th NFL season.Johnson posted his statement Wednesday on Instagram, his first comment on his decision two days after telling Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey he was retiring.I was taught, by an amazing woman, that how you enter is the same way you should exit, Johnson wrote in a post he also shared on Twitter. Mom, I love you for all that you gave and sacrificed.Johnson thanked everyone for their texts, post and calls over the past few days. He also thanked an uncle; his agent, Kennard McGuire; former Houston general manager Charley Casserly, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2003 out of Miami; the city of Miami; and both the Indianapolis Colts and Titans for allowing me to continue a dream.He also thanked the McNair family and the Houston organization for 12 years of support.To the city of Houston and the most incredible fans on earth, I simply end this journey by saying, Houston is my destination. I am coming home and I will always be a Texan, Johnson wrote.Johnson remains the leading receiver in Texans history with 1,012 catches for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns. Tennessee had been his third team in as many seasons after Johnson spent 2015 with another AFC South team, the Colts.The seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver told Mularkey of his plans to retire Monday without commenting publicly until this statement. He caught only nine passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns this season, including the winner in Week 2 in Detroit.Johnson retired as one of the NFLs best receivers. He ranks ninth with 1,062 catches and 10th with 14,185 yards receiving, and also had 70 touchdowns. Johnson led the NFL in catches in 2006 (103) and in 2008 (115). He led the league in yards receiving in 2008 (1,575) and 2009 (1,569).He and former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, are the only NFL players to have four seasons of 100-plus receptions and 1,400-plus yards receiving.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Keith Hernandez Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/david-wright-mets-jersey/ . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Darryl Strawberry Mets Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Steven Matz Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. The San Francisco Giants landed the top-tier closer they have been seeking for months, agreeing to a four-year, $62 million contract with right-hander Mark Melancon on Monday.Its the richest contract ever for a closer, topping?Jonathan Papelbons four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies from 2012-15 and Mariano Riveras $15 million annual value total in 2011-12 with the Yankees. But that record isnt expected to last long. Fellow closers?Aroldis Chapman?and Kenley Jansen?are set to sign new contracts this offseason.Really excited to have Mark, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said in a text message. Got to know him on a trip to Taiwan in 2011. Fills an important need for us. Great to get one of the premier closers in the game.Pending a physical, the pitcher will receive a $20 million signing bonus, $8 million of which is deferred, then salaries of $4 million in 2017, $10 million in 18 and $14 million in each of the 19 and 2020 seasons. He has a full no-trade clause and the chance to opt out after the first two years.With the bullpen largely to blame for their postseason demise -- and for the teams collapse during the second half of the season -- the Giants have prioritized the acquisition of an established closer for the 2017 season.The Giants bullpen failed to hold a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, with five relievers unable to finish the game in an eventual 6-5 loss that ended their season.?Adding a premier closer was our main priority this offseason, general manager Bobby Evans said. Mark solidifies the back end of our bullpen and fills a critical role. He brings talent, leadership and experience to our pitching staff.ddddddddddddMelancon, 31, was acquired by the Washington Nationals at this seasons trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving Washington a consistent solution to its closer problem, in contrast to the performance of usurped Washington closer Papelbon.Melancon finished with a combined 47 saves and 1.64 ERA in 71 1/3 innings over his 75 appearances, having converted 30 of 33 save opportunities for the Pirates last season and then 17 of 18 for the Nationals.The trade from Pittsburgh to Washington for left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn was the fourth of Melancons career.He was traded from the New York Yankees to Houston at the 2010 deadline, from the Astros to the Red Sox in the winter of 2011 and from Boston to Pittsburgh in the winter of 2012. As an eligible free agent, the righty made $9.65 million last season.Melancon led the majors with 51 saves in 2015.Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, speaking at baseballs winter meetings in National Harbor, Maryland, said Washington made an offer to Melancon.We gave him an offer that we felt was market value and what we were comfortable giving him. Youre talking about one of the elite closers in the game and a great teammate, Rizzo said. Conducted himself perfectly as a Washington National. At the end of the day, the Giants offered him more, and he took the deal. Thats what free agencys all about. ...?Theyve got themselves a great citizen and a great pitcher. ' ' '