San Francisco at Atlanta


Falcons fly past Niners and into first NFC title game


Niners grind to halt after Hearst breaks leg


49ers' interim president resigns; Walsh might be hired


Disputed call nearly shoots down Falcons


Reeves stays subdued in return to sideline


Divisional playoffs in pictures

ATLANTA -- San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chris Doleman wrapped up one of his best seasons Saturday and also closed the book on his illustrious career.

Following the 49ers' 20-18 playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Doleman formally announced his retirement.

	Doleman

"This is it," said Doleman, who still faces surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle he played with for last six weeks. "You'll miss (football), but it's time to move on. It's time to do different things."

Doleman, 37, finished the regular season with 14.5 sacks, the second-highest total in his 14-year career. He had 21 in 1989 while with Minnesota, where he spent the first nine years of his career.

He also played for Atlanta, where he resides, before coming to San Francisco three years ago.

Doleman, who has said he plans to buy and operate a car dealership, finished with 142.5 sacks to rank fourth all-time in NFL history.

"The 14 years, they went by in a blur, really," Doleman said. "The only thing I wish would have happened a little differently is that I would have won a ring along the way, but I have no regrets."