Steve Smith: Will Retire Following 2015 Season

Former longtime Carolina Panthers receiver and current Baltimore Raven Steve Smith Sr. said Monday that he plans to retire after the 2015 season.

“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.

Only three players (Jerry Rice, Jimmy Smith and Joey Galloway) have topped 1,000 yards receiving in a season at 36 or older, and Steve Smith would become the first to accomplish this since 2007, according to ESPN Stats & Information, if he can do so this season. To that point, Smith totaled 1,065 yards and six touchdowns on 79 catches after quickly developing a strong understanding with quarterback Joe Flacco.

Smith owns Carolina career records for receptions (836), yards (12,197), and receiving touchdowns (67). 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.

“Me and my family basically after this season, this is my last season”, Smith 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”. He said that he needed to go home and be a dad.

Returning for one final season is just another statement from a man that has made his living making them loud and boisterous.