(AP) - Roger Clemens was acquitted Monday on all charges that he obstructed and lied to Congress in denying he used performance-enhancing drugs to build his long and brilliant career as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.

"I'm very thankful," Clemens said, choking up as he spoke after the verdict. "It's been a hard five years," said the pitcher, who was retried after an earlier prosecution ended in a mistrial.

This trial was lengthy, but the deliberations were relatively brief. Jurors returned their verdict after close to 10 hours over several days. The outcome ended a 10-week trial that capped the government's investigation of the pitcher who holds seven Cy Young Awards, emblematic of the league's best pitcher each year.

Emotional hugs among Clemens and family members followed the verdict, including one large group hug in the courtroom. At one point, wife Debbie Clemens dabbed his eyes with a tissue.

Outside, at one point, Clemens stopped to compose himself.

Accused of cheating to achieve and extend his success - and then facing felony charges that he lied about it - he declared, "I put a lot of hard work into that career."

He said he appreciated "my teammates who came in and the emails and phone calls" of support. With his four sons standing behind him, Clemens thanked his attorneys, his family, his sisters and his wife.