CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons. The Panthers confirmed the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle will announce his retirement at a news conference on Wednesday at the stadium. "Jordan has been a great Panther and he will be missed," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Tuesday in a text message. Cam Newton agreed. The Pro Bowl quarterback said in a text message, "It was truly a pleasure to play with Jordan. He always had my back. He will be missed." Just wholl replace Gross at left tackle is uncertain. Gross, 33, was a first-round pick by Carolina in 2003 and started a franchise-record 167 games. He went to his third Pro Bowl this past season as an alternate. Gross contract had expired with the Panthers earlier this month, but there was still some question as to whether he might agree to return for one more season. He went on vacation with his family last week to Idaho to contemplate whether or not to retire. Gross told the teams website, Panthers.com, that it was the right time to step away. "Ive played a lot of football here, and Ive seen a lot of guys come and a lot of guys go," Gross told the website. "Sometimes it ends well for guys, and sometimes it is not the ending they were looking for." Gross said he didnt want to leave until the team was in good position for sustained success. He believes the team is there now. "There is good, young leadership, there are talented players, and there are guys that really want to work hard and want to win," Gross said. Former quarterback Jake Delhomme, who played with Gross from 2003-2009, called him the "ultimate professional." "He was a hell of a player, and a great gentleman," Delhomme said. "The thing is I dont believe he got the respect he deserved around the league." Delhomme said the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Gross was extremely athletic, humble and driven. "We he was a rookie in 2003, his initial thoughts heading into minicamp were Oh gosh, please dont (stink)," Delhomme said with a laugh. "That was the mentality he always took. It wasnt a fear, but it was a mentality of, hey, Ive got to be good every day. Thats how Jordan prepared every day." Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he spoke to Gross recently and half-jokingly tried to convince him to return. But he said Gross already had his mind made up. "Hes such a great player and Im really happy for him," Olsen said. "When I talked to him, I know he feels good not only about his body of work and his career, but also the impact he had on this organization. He was always a stand-up guy. He has the respect of all of his teammates. Hes the type of guy you want if youre an NFL franchise." Gross joined the Panthers in 2003 and stepped right in as a starter, helping Carolina reach the Super Bowl as a rookie. However, Gross spent the next 10 years trying to get back, but the Panthers could never make it past the NFC championship game. Gross decision creates a void for the Panthers at left tackle. Bruce Campbell, Garry Williams and starting right tackle Byron Bell are potential replacements, but the team could look for help in free agency or the draft. The Panthers have the 28th pick in the draft. Olsen said it will be difficult to replace Gross after the Panthers went 12-4 this past season, but said young players will have to step up. "Jordan has been top notch for his whole career," Olsen said. "Hes tough to lose. But every year it happens around the league -- you lose players to retirement or injury. You have to move on and fill that role." Wide receiver Steve Smith is the only remaining player from Carolinas Super Bowl team in 2003 that lost 32-29 to the New England Patriots on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Gross current and former teammates immediately took to Twitter to comment on the news. Said Smith: "Since 1999 until 2day (at)J2theGross and I have been in same huddle. Today its has stopped I salute JG, great player better man!!! Love ya." Said Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson: "One of the best to ever play in a panther jersey. I wish he would stay but you gotta do what u gotta." Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, a former teammate of Gross with the Panthers, wrote that Gross "was an outstanding mentor and Im so thankful he decided to help me when I was a young naive rookie." Cheap Twins Jerseys Authentic . Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. Wholesale Twins Jerseys . Eller said the Oilers were a "junior team" that was "all over the place" before Edmontons 4-3 victory over Montreal on Tuesday night, Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins took offence to Ellers comments and used it to motivate his youthful team. http://www.cheaptwinsjerseys.com/?tag=ch...-morneau-jersey. Niese pitched seven steady innings on a rainy Tuesday night and Daniel Murphy had three hits to lead New York to a 6-1 victory over the Phillies. Cheap Kent Hrbek Jersey .com) - Devon Johnson ran for a school record 272 yards with four touchdowns and No. Cheap Rod Carew Jersey . Gordon reportedly failed another drug test and is facing a one-year ban. Gordon led the NFL in yards receiving last season despite being suspended two games for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy.Sunderland took a huge step towards Premier League survival after a dramatic second-half fightback inspired them to a 3-2 win over Chelsea. The Black Cats trailed 2-1 at the break after Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic scored either side of Wahbi Khazris sweetly struck volley.But Fabio Borini levelled the match in the 67th minute and Jermain Defoe fired his 18th goal of the season soon afterwards to put the hosts ahead for the first time. Pick your team Aguero? Ozil? De Bruyne? Pick your Fantasy Six-a-Side team for the chance to win ￡10,000 John Terry was sent off late in the game for a second booking and Sunderland held on to climb out of the bottom three.With Newcastle only managing a point against Aston Villa, the Black Cats can now secure their top-flight status with a win in midweek against Everton - a game live on Sky Sports 1 HD - and in the process relegate the Magpies along with Norwich and Villa.It was a scenario that looked unlikely for much of the match on Saturday. Defoe believes Sunderlands character helped them overcome Chelsea Although Sunderland started positively, with Gary Cahill booked inside the first minute for bringing down Defoe, it was Chelsea who created the first chances and took an early lead.Cahills pass deflected through kindly for Costa, who kept his cool to finish from close range.Chelsea continued to threaten and the closest Sunderland came was when DeAndre Yedlin headed at Thibaut Courtois from Defoes cross. Wahbi Khazri celebrates equalising for Sunderland The Black Cats needed a moment of inspiration and it arrived late in the half as Khazri struck a superb volley from the edge of the box which took a slight deflection as it arrowed into the far corner.At that stage it looked like the hosts would go in at the break with the momentum, but they suffereed a setback deep into injury-time as they failed to clear their lines and Matic pounced to finish under Vito Mannone.dddddddddddd Phil Thompson reacts to Sunderlands victory over Chelsea. While the Sunderland keeper was beaten on that occasion, he saved twice from Costa in the second half to prevent the visitors extending their lead further.First he denied the striker after he was through on goal and then came out sharply to block another shot after a slick passing move.The saves would prove crucial as Sunderland turned the game around with two goals in two-and-a-half minutes. Defoe celebrates after scoring the winner at the Stadium of Light Borini levelled when his shot from the edge of the box deflected off Terry and beat Courtois before Defoe fired home from around the penalty spot shortly afterwards.Although the final 20 minutes was nervy, Sunderland held on and the visitors finished with 10 men as Terry was shown a second yellow for fouling Khazri.Soccer Saturday verdict - Phil ThompsonIn the first-half, Sunderland were chasing shadows. Chelsea had nothing to play for and were passing it around. Sunderland went in 2-1 down, they were all over the place and you thought Chelsea were more than comfortable.You were catching your breath in the second-half when the ball comes from the right-hand side, it takes a flick off a Chelsea player round about the penalty spot and Defoe takes one touch.A player of his class takes one touch, controls the ball and he drives it past Courtois. It was unbelievable and the noise was incredible. It was an unbelievable turnaround. Player ratingsSunderland: Mannone (7), Yedlin (6), Van Aanholt (6), Kaboul (6), Kone (5), Kirchhoff (6), Cattermole (5), MVila (6), Borini (7), Khazri (7), Defoe (7).Subs used: Larsson (5), OShea (5), Watmore (6).Chelsea: Courtois (5), Ivanovic (5), Cahill (5), Terry (4), Azpilicueta (6), Mikel (6), Matic (7), Willian (5), Fabregas (6), Hazard (6), Costa (7). Subs used: Baba (5), Oscar (5), Traore (5).Man of the match: Jermain Defoe Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '