Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. had his family in mind when he announced on Monday that he will retire after the 2015 season. Smith mentioned his plans to go home and be a dad as the biggest reasons for this decision. Family aside, Smith stated in an interview "I feel like it's time."
The 36-year old is entering his 15th NFL season, and looks to continue to battle bigger than the 5-foot-9 stature that he has. Smith and recently-inducted Hall of Famer Tim Brown are the only two receivers in NFL history to record 13,000 receiving yards and 4,000 return yards.
The Ravens' wideout ranks 18th all time in receptions with 915, 14th in receiving yards with 13,262, and 33rd in touchdown catches with 73.
Smith signed with the Ravens after being cut by the Carolina Panthers in 2014, making the decision to sign with Baltimore to stay close to his family. He and his wife, Angie, have four children together.
His oldest, Peyton, is a soccer player who will begin college next year. Smith says he could play another two or three years, but made the decision to retire in April.
The bulk of his career was spent with the Panthers, recording 836 catches, 12,197 receiving yards, and 67 touchdowns in 13 seasons, all of which are most in franchise history. He made five Pro Bowls with the team, before being cut in March of 2014.
He would sign a three-year, $10.5 million contract with Baltimore the next day. Smith had 79 catches, 30 more than anyone else on the team, and 1,065 receiving yards in his first year with the team.
After over a decade of competing like no other receiver can, Smith plans to continue to do just that until his final day in the league.
The 36-year old is entering his 15th NFL season, and looks to continue to battle bigger than the 5-foot-9 stature that he has. Smith and recently-inducted Hall of Famer Tim Brown are the only two receivers in NFL history to record 13,000 receiving yards and 4,000 return yards.
The Ravens' wideout ranks 18th all time in receptions with 915, 14th in receiving yards with 13,262, and 33rd in touchdown catches with 73.
Smith signed with the Ravens after being cut by the Carolina Panthers in 2014, making the decision to sign with Baltimore to stay close to his family. He and his wife, Angie, have four children together.
His oldest, Peyton, is a soccer player who will begin college next year. Smith says he could play another two or three years, but made the decision to retire in April.
The bulk of his career was spent with the Panthers, recording 836 catches, 12,197 receiving yards, and 67 touchdowns in 13 seasons, all of which are most in franchise history. He made five Pro Bowls with the team, before being cut in March of 2014.
He would sign a three-year, $10.5 million contract with Baltimore the next day. Smith had 79 catches, 30 more than anyone else on the team, and 1,065 receiving yards in his first year with the team.
After over a decade of competing like no other receiver can, Smith plans to continue to do just that until his final day in the league.
