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Steve Smith announces retirement at end of 2015 season

By Kyle Franzoni

May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) catches a punt during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) catches a punt during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Carolina Panthers legend and current Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith will retire after the 2015 season.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith made a career out of exceeding expectations and rising to the top of the NFL’s wide receiver corps despite being told he lacked the size to do so. Now, he’ll go out on top in the same manner as he succeeded on the field; on his terms.

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Via the team Twitter account, the Ravens have announced that the 2015 season will be Smith’s last, as the received intends to retire following the completion of his 15th season.

Steve Smith spent the first 13 years of his NFL career in Carolina after the Panthers used their 3rd-Round selection on the Utah product in 2001. After spending all but one game of his rookie season as a reserve, Smith got the chance to start full-time in 2002 and never looked back.

Smith owns Carolina career records for receptions (836), yards (12,197), and receiving touchdowns (67). Additionally, he is second only to John Kasay in career points (454) and owns many club records for individual seasons as well.

Smith came to Baltimore in 2014, hoping to extend his career after many thought he was done. He responded by starting all 16 games for the Ravens last season and racking up 79 receptions for 1065 yards and six touchdowns. At 35-years-old, Smith showed that there was plenty of gas still left in the tank and helped guide the Ravens to another playoff appearance in 2014.

Overall, Smith tallied eight seasons over 1000 yards receiving and enters the 2015 season with 13,262 yards and 73 career touchdowns.

Returning for one final season is just another statement from a man that has made his living making them loud and boisterous. Steve Smith was just as liable to throw down with a teammate as he was an opponent, especially if it meant getting the point across that he was one of the best in the game. He’ll likely use the 2015 to put an exclamation point on a career that could well see him enshrined in Canton when all is said and done.

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