After Contracting MRSA Last Season, Giants TE Fells Announces Retirement

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Giants tight end Daniel Fells has announced his retirement 10 months after contracting MRSA.

Fells, 32, made the announcement in a post on Instagram on Tuesday night.

"I wish I was heading into battle with my brothers as Training Camp starts up this week but I also believe that everything happens for a reason," he wrote. "Although playing the game is no longer in the cards for me I'm grateful for the 10 year career that I was blessed to experience.

"I'm working hard to accept my physical limitations and the mental struggles that go along with them. I know that I'm lucky to be alive so I'm determined to make the most of everyday that I have."

Undrafted out of UC Davis, Fells played for the St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots before joining the Giants in 2014.

In 18 games with New York, he caught 22 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns. For his career, Fells had 114 receptions for 1,334 yards and 12 TDs.

Fells was diagnosed in October with the antibiotic-resistant MRSA bacteria that kills thousands a year and spent nearly three weeks in a hospital. He has undergone 10 surgeries related to the infection.

Earlier last season, Fells had an ankle injury. Then-coach Tom Coughlin said it became infected, but the team did not know how.

The Giants had their facility disinfected after the case was found, and players were lectured about the illness.