Although Fred Taylor is one of the best running backs the NFL has ever seen, he went mostly unrecognized during much of his 11 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Taylor has decided to retire from the NFL after 13 seasons and nearly 12,000 yards, according to the Associated Press. Taylor, who has spent the past two seasons as a backup with the New England Patriots, plans to sign a one-day contract with the team where he spent his first 11 seasons and had most of his success.

The No. 9 overall pick of the 1998 draft was released by the Jaguars in 2008, but not before establishing himself as the franchise’s leading rusher (11,271 yards). His career began with a bang as he rushed for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns as a rookie at the University of Florida.

Taylor was the model of consistency throughout much of his career, but made just one Pro Bowl appearance in 2007 with the Jaguars. The last two years of his career with the Patriots were mostly uneventful with 424 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries in two years.

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(Photo: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)