Linebacker Ian Gold, a mainstay for the Denver Broncos for all of the decade (except for the year he played with the Buccaneers) has decided to retire from the NFL, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.

“When people hear I’m retiring, they’re going to be like, ‘Ian who?.  But I’m all right with that,” Gold said.

“I’ve had some people say to me, ‘You’re retiring?’, and they think it’s crazy,” Gold said.  “But it’s not.  It’s time to move on.  I’m not pulling a Brett Favre.  I’m getting out of the game with my health and my youth.”

Gold tore an ACL during the 2003 season, the final year of his rookie contract.  He signed as a free agent with the Bucs, started 13 games there in 2004, and then re-signed with the Broncos in 2005.

He started 16 games for Denver in 2005, 15 games in 2006, and 14 games in 2007.

Gold qualified for the Pro Bowl in 2001, his second NFL season.