Steve Smith to retire from NFL at end of 2015 season

Via Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com, the Ravens wide receiver announced that he was retiring at the end of this season. While Smith went on to set numerous receiving records in Carolina, he joined the Ravens ahead of last season and enjoyed a reinvigorated 2014 season.

“Steve Smith has been one of the NFL’s finest receivers for over a decade and has been the face of the franchise for a large part of the team’s history”, general manager Dave Gettleman said following the release.

He led the Ravens with 79 catches and 1,065 reception yards and also scored six touchdowns. Smith plans to retire at the end of the season, regardless of where the Ravens finish this season. “He’s going out on the top of his game”.

Smith, who ranks 18th all-time with 915 receptions, said he doesn’t want to hold on even though he feels he could play two to three more years. 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.

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.

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