Longtime NFL punter Sean Landeta retires

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., March 6 (UPI) -- Sean Landeta, best known for his years as a punter with the New York Giants, officially retired Thursday after 25 years in professional football.

Landeta, 46, last appeared in uniform in 2006 and didn't play last year. He said he chose March 6 to announce his retirement since it was March 6, 1983, that he signed with a U.S. Football League team and his son was born March 6, 1997.

"Retirement is just another great thing to happen to me on March 6," Landeta said. "This will be a great day for me to remember throughout my lifetime."

Landeta won championships while with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL and was on Super Bowl-winning New York Giants teams in 1986 and 1990.

Landeta also played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

He owns a career punting average of 43.3 yards per punt with 1,401 kicks in 284 NFL games. Landeta was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1986 and 1990 seasons.