Tamou was given a lap of honour at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Thursday after the Cowboys went down 32-12 to Cronulla in Townsville.
"Three hundred and seven games, I couldn't ask for anything more," Tamou told the Nine Network.
"I've been around the world and I was very fortunate to come up here this year, but I've got to listen to my body."
The veteran prop was offered a one-year deal at the Cowboys after departing Wests Tigers last year to finish his career back where it all began.
But since scoring in a win over Gold Coast in round four, Tamou has missed the majority of the season due to a foot injury, before returning via the Queensland Cup in recent weeks.
After making his first-grade debut in 2009, Tamou chalked up 307 NRL appearances, along with 14 State of Origin games for NSW and 12 Tests for New Zealand.
He appeared in two grand finals over his decorated career, losing in 2020 as skipper for Penrith and famously starring in the Cowboys' 17-16 win over Brisbane in 2015.
Tamou scored the second try of the game but more importantly had a rapid play-the-ball to set up Jonathan Thurston's premiership-winning drop goal that sealed a maiden title for the club.
Across three teams, Tamou registered 172 games for the Cowboys, 97 for Penrith and 38 for Wests.
"Life-long friends is one of the benefits rugby league brings," Tamou added.
"It's one of those things that some people treat as a job, others a lifestyle, and I'm just fortunate to be in the game long enough to withstand those long-term things and have some long-term relationships along the way."
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