Ravens WR Steve Smith to retire after 2015 season

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) manages to catch this touchdown in spite of the blanket coverage from New Orleans Saints defensive back A.J. Davis (20) during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Monday, November 24, 2014.

“I feel like this is the best place, if this is going to be the end, this will be the best place to end”, Smith said to the media on Monday.

Smith is Carolina’s all-time leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67).

Smith told his teammates and coaches of his decision before making the announcement.

The 36-year-old has been a fixture of the NFL for more than a decade, and is entering his 15th season in the league.

The Carolina Panthers released Smith from the team in March 2014.

Smith’s 139-yard, two-touchdown performance helped the Ravens rout his former team 38-10 last September. 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.

Smith said it’s been a long career and he enjoys playing but he’s going to “go home and be dad”.

“Me and my family basically after this season, this is my last season”, Smith said.