Foxboro, MA -- (Sports Network) - New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL.

Harrison spent the last six seasons with New England after playing his first nine years with San Diego. He won a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Patriots.

"Today is a very exciting day for me," said Harrison, who first joked with reporters during a conference call that he signed a new two-year deal with the Patriots.

"I had the opportunity and privilege to play in this league for a long time," Harrison added. "I've done everything I can possibly do on the field. I feel like I have nothing else to prove."

Harrison finished his career with 1,205 tackles, 34 interceptions and 30 1/2 sacks, becoming the only player in NFL history to notch 30 sacks and 30 picks in a career. He was also among the most-fined players in league history, incurring numerous financial penalties because of borderline dirty hits.

"People have called me a dirty player, I'm a very passionate player," Harrison noted. "I cared for other players, I respected players, I loved the players in this league. I also understand this is not volleyball. This is a very violent and physical game. If you hit someone in the mouth, they're not going to be your friend."

Harrison was placed on injured reserve and missed the final 10 games last season because of a torn quad muscle in October. It marked the second time in four years that Harrison's season was cut short by injury. In 2005, he played just three games before a knee injury ended his campaign.

The 36-year-old, hard-hitting veteran said he had some interest from other teams this spring before making his decision to retire.

"I really didn't have that fire anymore," Harrison remarked. "After 15 years of playing the way I played, just being able to lead a healthy lifestyle [was most important]."

Harrison was often outspoken during his playing days and will continue to talk in his next profession as part of NBC Sports' NFL coverage. He was a member of NBC's broadcast team at Super Bowl XLIII this past February.