[KC Chiefs.com] Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Tuesday that the club has released LB Mike Maslowski.

“Mike Maslowski has been an extremely important player for this franchise since ’99. He has grown with the Chiefs from his days as an NCAA Division III player, through NFL Europe, to starting linebacker and the most prolific tackler in a single season for this team. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our defense began to decline when we lost Mike to injury in 2003.”

“Mike and his wife, Heidi, have been exemplary representatives of this franchise in the Kansas City community. We don’t think this represents the conclusion to Mike’s NFL career, but by releasing him at this time we give him the opportunity to return to the Chiefs in the future if he can get himself ready to play.”

Maslowski played in 65 games in six seasons (’99-04) with Kansas City. He registered 311 tackles (229 solo), 4.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for 28 yards for the club. Maslowski also added 17 passes defensed, 10 QB pressures and 60 special teams tackles. He spent the entire 2004 campaign on injured reserve after undergoing a tibial osteotomy procedure to repair a left knee injury.