Veteran OL Franklin retires after 7 seasons

After seven NFL seasons, offensive lineman Orlando Franklin is retiring.

The veteran announced on Saturday via Instagram that it was time for him to step away and be a full-time dad.

"Hey everyone it's been a rough few days for me and more importantly a rough three weeks of me not being able to see my family every day once I got off work, over the last few days I've realized that FaceTiming my son is just not enough. I've always looked forward to being a father and right now I'm not at my best because I cannot be a good father here in DC while my wife and son have to be in Denver. And for this reason I have talked it over with God, my family, and my agent, and have decided to retire after seven years of playing in the NFL."

At 6-foot, 7-inches and 330 pounds, Franklin was an imposing second-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2011 by the Broncos. He helped protect Peyton Manning from 2012 through 2014, starting 70 of 71 games.

He played in seven postseason games with the Broncos.

The 30-year-old signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Chargers, but played for only two seasons in San Diego.

Washington signed him after he was released by the Chargers. He played in one game for the Redskins last season.