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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Most NFL players will retire from playing football in their 30's.

That's when life after football begins, and one former Miami Dolphin is starting a very different career how that his playing days are over.

Daryn Colledge, who spent nine years in the NFL with the Dolphins, Packers and Cardinals, announced on Twitter that he is joining the Army National Guard for an eight-year commitment.

Colledge may have drawn inspiration from late Cardinals safety Pat Tillman.

Tillman enlisted in the Army following a short NFL career and was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

In a tweet sent shortly after his initial announcement, Colledge mentioned Tillman.

While speaking with ESPN, Colledge explained his decision in further detail.

"I'll do what I did in the league: I'll grind my butt off and I'll show that I have a commitment. … It's going to be an awesome opportunity. It's going to be a challenge to myself. I think basic training to me, it's not combat. It's the opportunity to go out and learn how to be a soldier and challenge yourself mentally and physically and try to get the most out of it. It's just like anything else in the world. You get what you put in, and I get to put everything into it, and I expect to come out of it a changed man."