The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles released Jeremiah Trotter today, a surprising end for the Pro Bowl middle linebacker in his second stint in Philadelphia.
Trotter and Eagles coach Andy Reid had an emotional meeting Monday night at which the coach told Trotter of the decision to release him.
“Jeremiah and I have been together for many years and he’s played a vital role in helping this team win a lot of football games,” Reid said in a statement. “He developed himself into a Pro Bowl middle linebacker through a lot of hard work and desire. In my mind, he will always be a Philadelphia Eagle and I’m sure he feels the same way. I wish he and his family nothing but the best in the future.”
The 30-year-old Trotter — a fan-favorite thanks to his intense playing style, big hits and candor — spent four seasons in Philadelphia before an acrimonious departure as a free agent after the 2001 season.
Trotter spent two unsuccessful years with the Washington Redskins, but made amends with Reid and signed a one-year deal with the Eagles following the 2003 season.
He started the 2004 season as a special-teamer, but ended up in the Pro Bowl. He had been the starter in the middle since.
The Eagles selected Trotter out of Stephen F. Austin in the third-round of the draft in 1998. He became the team’s starting middle linebacker the next season and set a career-high with 202 tackles in 1999. He averaged 147 tackles per season since becoming a starter.
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