An outbreak of the MRSA infection in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers locker in 2013 has claimed it’s second NFL career as offensive guard Carl Nicks has decided to step away from football.

Nicks and Tampa Bay have mutually decided to part ways after the Pro Bowl guard signed a five-year deal worth $47.5 million in 2012. Nicks has only appeared in nine games since signing his deal and missed all but two games in 2013 with the MRSA infection.

Nicks made his decision after missing all of the Buccaneers offseason activities and still isn't fully recovered from the infection.

"I'd like to thank the Buccaneers organization for working with me as I have attempted to get myself back on the football field," Nicks said in a statement released by the team. "However, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to step away from the game. This was by no means an easy decision, but I believe that it is what is best for me and my family, as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

Nicks was owed $6 million of his $7 million salary in 2014, but the fact that he walked away from the game shows that the two sides came to some kind of finical agreement. Nicks spent four years with the New Orleans Saints and earned a Super Bowl ring as well as two Pro Bowl appearances.

Kicker Lawrence Tynes also had his career cut short due to the MRSA outbreak in the Buccaneers locker room and second-year corner Johnthan Banks made made a full recovery.

[ESPN]

Give us a shoutout in the comments below and follow us @SportsWN and @Edler56