Dallas Cowboys defensive end Josh Brent announced his NFL retirement on Thursday, according to ESPN.

Brent, who faces intoxication manslaughter charges in the death of former teammate Jerry Brown, told reporters his decision is “about getting priorities in my life in order.” Brent’s blood alcohol level was reported to be at 0.18 at the time of last December’s accident, more than twice the legal limit in Texas.

"This is the right decision for me, and something that I have given a lot of thought to,” Brent said in a statement. "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."

Brent, 25, has a Sept. 23 court date, and his attorneys have indicated they are open to speaking with investigators about a possible plea agreement. According to ESPN, The Cowboys placed Brent on the non-injury reserve list after the accident but didn't release him because of a promise the franchise made to Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson.

"I've forgiven him," Jackson told WFAA-TV in Dallas. "Because he has enough on his plate with just reliving the whole thing over and over, and that's going to be for the rest of his life."

In recent months, Brent has failed two court-ordered drug tests for marijuana and spent a week in jail after his bond was rescinded by a Dallas County judge. He also was ordered to court when his alcohol-monitoring device went off several times.