NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Wide receiver Andre Johnson said his mother taught him when people decide to take their leave they should exit the same way they entered.
That explains why he quietly retired midway through his 14th NFL season.
Johnson posted his statement Wednesday on Instagram, his first comment on his decision two days after telling Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey he was retiring.
"I was taught, by an amazing woman, that how you enter is the same way you should exit," Johnson wrote in a post he also shared on Twitter. "Mom, I love you for all that you gave and sacrificed."
Johnson thanked everyone for their texts, post and calls during the past few days. He also thanked an uncle; his agent, Kennard McGuire; former Houston general manager Charley Casserly, who drafted him No. 3 overall in 2003 out of Miami; the city of Miami; and both the Indianapolis Colts and Titans "for allowing me to continue a dream."
He also thanked the McNair family and the Houston organization for 12 years of support.
"To the city of Houston and the most incredible fans on earth, I simply end this journey by saying, Houston is my destination. I am coming home and I will always be a Texan," Johnson wrote.
Johnson remains the leading receiver in Texans history with 1,012 catches for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns. Tennessee had been his third team in as many seasons after Johnson spent 2015 with another AFC South team, the Colts.
The seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver told Mularkey of his plans to retire Monday without commenting publicly until this statement. He caught only nine passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns this season, including the winner in Week 2 in Detroit.
Johnson retired as one of the NFL's best receivers. He ranks ninth with 1,062 catches and 10th with 14,185 yards receiving, and also had 70 touchdowns. Johnson led the NFL in catches in 2006 (103) and in 2008 (115). He led the league in yards receiving in 2008 (1,575) and 2009 (1,569).
He and former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, are the only NFL players to have four seasons of 100-plus receptions and 1,400-plus yards receiving.