5 all-time great NFL players who need to retire after the 2014 season

It has to be one of the toughest decisions for NFL players, particularly those who are more than likely headed for the Hall of Fame.

Is it time to call it a career yet?

Age, declining skills, wear and tear on the body, and many other factors have to come into play when a player who loves the game of football and who has played at a high level for many years is considering hanging up the cleats for good.

Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez struggled with the decision, so much to the point that he announced his retirement, and then decided to give it one more go.

Legendary quarterback Brett Favre is another player who retired, un-retired, and then retired again (a few times we think).

It has to be a decision that’s tough to deal with. Even for players who have done it all and won it all…it’s hard to let the game go when you don’t feel you are ready.

But sometimes it’s apparent…maybe not to the player, but to everyone who watches. The ride is over and it’s time to shut it down and enjoy what life after football has to offer.

There are players we all love and admire — and we don’t want to see leave the game — that we know watching hang on too long would make things even worse. The only thing more painful than seeing a great player walk away is seeing him not walk away and to play far below the level to which we are accustomed.

There are some players in the NFL like that right now. Is Peyton Manning one? We’ll give him an honorable mention. Every time you count Peyton out and decide it’s over, he’s leading another team to a Super Bowl. Manning gets a pass for now (no pun intended).

But here are five guys who probably need to do that whole sunset thing when this season is over.