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Mathis retires with Jaguars: 'It's great to be back home'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Just a few weeks after announcing his retirement, former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis stood at a podium, surrounded by family, team staff and local media, and made it official.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Just a few weeks after announcing his retirement, former Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis stood at a podium, surrounded by family, team staff and local media, and made it official.

The Jaguars' all-time interceptions leader inked a one-day contract with the team that drafted him and housed him for the majority of his 13-year career on Wednesday.

“It’s great to be back home," Mathis said, as he made his opening remarks. "I guess I kind of feel like I never left in a sense because every offseason we were rooted back here.

Mathis, 35, who went to Englewood High School, made his mark in the Sunshine State. He starred at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach and was the 39th overall pick by the Jaguars in 2003.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 09: Rashean Mathis #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Cincinnati Bengals during play at EverBank Field on October 9, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. Cincinnati won 30-20. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The ceremonial contract signing was a full-circle experience for Mathis.

"This moment is special," Mathis said. "It’s even more special to me as I stand in front of you because I’m not an emotional guy, but it’s touching. This means a lot. It was a little more than I thought it would. While getting dressed today, I didn’t know I was going to feel the feelings I have today. That says a lot for this organization."

Mathis went to a Pro Bowl in 2006 and was among the few Jacksonville stars of his era to gain national recognition.

He spent 10 seasons in Jacksonville. However, when the most recent regime change took place in 2013, Mathis was forced to look for work elsewhere.

As an aging veteran who spent his entire career with one team up until that point, it was tough for Mathis to find a new home. Still, Mathis made the most of his three-year run with the Detroit Lions, collecting 129 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 28 pass breakups in 38 games (31 starts).

"I wanted to finish my career healthy," Mathis said. "My last year in Jacksonville, I was coming off an ACL injury and it wasn't healthy but my time in Detroit [I was healthy]. As athletes, we know health is everything. Without health we have nothing, and I was able to maintain health and that's why I'm passionate, I speak passionately about Detroit, because it meant a lot to me."

While the afternoon press conference was supposed to be about Mathis, he went out of his way to thank the city that embraced him.

“To everybody, to all of the Jaguar fans, to the organizations, to the Jacksonville community – I, Rashean Mathis, want to say thank you," Mathis said. "I love you. It’s not over. This is just a new chapter in my life and as God leads me, I will try to lead this community.”

With the one-day deal and retirement officially in place, Mathis now plans to work on his golf game. The super competitive athlete still wants to fight for victory, even if it's not on the football field.

Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.

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