Former Texans CB Steven Nelson says he is retiring from NFL after 9 seasons

Former Texans cornerback Steven Nelson is calling it a career after nine NFL seasons.

Nelson, 31, told KPRC2's Aaron Wilson that he's retiring to spend more time with his family, including his wife who is pregnant, and pursue other business ventures. He spent the past two seasons as one of Houston's starting cornerbacks opposite Derek Stingley Jr. At times, Nelson was their top performing cornerback.

Nelson's most memorable play as a Texans player will likely be the 82-yard interception return for a touchdown in their AFC wild-card victory over the Cleveland Browns this past season.

"Retirement, after thinking it over and having some talks with my family, I think it’s time for me to take a step back and spend more time with my family,” Nelson told Wilson in a telephone interview. "We’re expecting a newborn this coming month and I wanted to devote all of my time and energy to that and various business ventures off the field. I’m extremely proud of what I was able to do in the game of football.

"Coming from a small town without a lot of resources, having to go to junior college, making it out of there to go to Oregon State, which was across the country from my family, going through a lot of trials and tribulations to get to where I am today and to be able to persevere and make it this far. I’m extremely proud of my legacy and my career."

Nelson also infamously took shots on social media at Texans management over the past couple of years. He criticized general manager Nick Caserio's commonly worn sweater vests and made fun of DeMeco Ryans' baldness in consecutive offseasons. Now, it looks close to official that Nelson's days with the Texans, and apparently playing for any team, are over.