FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, right, and his brother, Los Angeles Chargers center Mike Pouncey pose after playing against each other in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. The twin brothers announced their retirement from professional football on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike and Maurkice Pouncey came into the world together.

They’re leaving the NFL in the same way.

The 31-year-old twin brothers announced their respective retirements today after spending a decade among the best centers in the league. Maurkice Pouncey spent 11 years in Pittsburgh earning two All-Pro nods and nine Pro Bowl selections while serving as the security blanket for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Mike Pouncey reached the Pro Bowl four times while playing for Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers.

“To my big brother Mike Pouncey thank you for always pushing me to be the best,” Maurkice Pouncey posted on Instagram. “The sacrifices we made will forever go unnoticed but Together (13x ProBowls 2x first team all Pro’s 3x second team all Pro’s) who would’ve ever thought that as kids !”

Maurkice Pouncey, one minute younger than his “older” brother, had one year remaining on the three-year, $33 million contract extension he signed in 2019. He was limited to 13 games this season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and gave a very public indication that he was ready to move on with his life at the end of Pittsburgh’s stunning first-round playoff loss to Cleveland.

Pouncey and Roethlisberger — good friends whose lockers were practically side by side — sat on the Pittsburgh bench long after the game was over, with Roethlisberger saying afterward he really wanted to lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl for Pouncey.

“I don’t have the words…I love you and thank you,” Roethlisberger posted on his Facebook page shortly after the announcement.

Both Pounceys starred at Florida, with Maurkice’s decision to come out early in 2010 opening the door for his brother to follow him to the league a year later. Maurkice helped the Steelers reach the Super Bowl in his rookie season, though an ankle injury rendered him a spectator as Pittsburgh fell to Green Bay.

The Steelers never made it back to the game’s biggest stage under his watch. The closest they’ve come over the ensuing decade was a loss to New England in the 2016 AFC championship game.