Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent to retire after three seasons

Josh Brent is retiring from the NFL after three seasons. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

While facing serious off-the-field issues, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent has decided to retire from the NFL after just three seasons, Brent announced on Thursday.

Brent is currently facing an intoxication manslaughter charge after he was involved in a car wreck in December that resulted in the death of teammate Jerry Brown in Irving, Texas. Brent's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit following the December 8 incident and was arrested and released on $100,000 bond.

Brent, 25, will now be placed on the reserved/retired list after his decision to retire from the NFL. The Cowboys will retain the rights to Brent if he returns to the NFL. Brent will be in court on September 23 to face intoxication manslaughter charges.

Brent announced his retirement on Thursday:

“This is the right decision for me, and something that I have given a lot of thought to,” Brent said in a prepared statement. “I am at a point where my main focus is all about getting the priorities in my life in order. Those priorities are more important than football. Doing the right things in life are more important than football. I love the game very much. I love my teammates, but this is the right thing for me to do."