Willard Harrell, the 32-year-old running back of the St....

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Willard Harrell, the 32-year-old running back of the St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday announced his retirement from professional football after 10 years in the NFL.

Harrell, a 5-9, 190-pounder from the University of the Pacific, was entering his eighth season with the Cardinals. He played his first 3 seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 1975 to 1977.

Cardinal head coach Jim Hanifan called Harrell, 'one of the smallest men to play in the National Football League in size and certainly one of the biggest in heart, desire and intelligence.'

Last year, Harrell saw duty on shotgun situations and as a kick returner. He caught 14 passes to equal his best receiving season since joining the Cardinals in 1978.