Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart officially retired on Wednesday, saying he needed closure nearly seven years after playing his final NFL down.

The 39-year-old planned to sign a one-day contract with Pittsburgh before walking away to give his football career a sense of finality.

Stewart played for the Steelers in eight of his 11 seasons, becoming a sensation in the late-1990s when his versatility as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver and kick returner earned him the nickname "Slash." He helped Pittsburgh to the 1996 Super Bowl and made the Pro Bowl as a quarterback in 2001 after leading Pittsburgh to a 13-3 record.

The former Colorado star split time between Chicago and Baltimore over his final three seasons, last playing as a backup with the Ravens in 2005.