OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. announced Aug. 10 that he will retire at the end of the 2015 season.
Smith, 36, is fully healthy and he is confident he could likely play a few more years. However, Smith said he simply wants to spend more time with his wife, Angie, and four children.
Smith, who is entering his 15th season in the NFL, informed his teammates prior to the morning practice and then spoke to the media following the workout.
“Me and my family decided that this will be my last year,” Smith said. “Go home and be dad and look back and enjoy things. I feel like it’s time. My body feels great.”
Smith is still expected to have a big season with the Ravens. He led the team last year with 79 receptions and 1,065 receiving yards, along with six touchdowns. Over his career, Smith has 915 career receptions, 13,262 receiving yards and 73 touchdown receptions. He has also been selected to the Pro Bowl five times.
“He’s probably one of the most fun players I’ve ever had the opportunity to be around and coach,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I am looking forward to the rest of the season with him. We’ll cherish every day. It’s something that he’s been thinking about for quite a while.”
Smith spent 13 years with the Carolina Panthers and is the franchise leader in catches (836), receiving yards (12,197) and touchdowns (67).
Teammates reacted to Smith’s announcement.
“Hey, I think it’s cool, and he has had a great career,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “I think it is awesome to spend time with him at the end of his career and to see if we can win it for him going out.”
“Remember what happened the last time we had a player like this retire,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said about Ray Lewis retiring following the 2012 Super Bowl-winning season. “Steve Smith is one hell of a guy and maybe we can send him out with something special.”