[News] Steve Smith Sr. Officially Files Retirement Letter With NFL

[BR News]

In true Steve Smith fashion, the receiver wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to say 'I'll no longer be antagonizing defensive backs.'

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[salamander]

Hope we at least can still at least have the pleasure of listening to SSS as a commentator sometimes. His wit and blunt comments are entertaining and spot on. Wishing you well in retirement SSS. Gonna miss you on the field for the Ravens big time.

[The Greek]

he would probably be a better receivers coach than engram

[The Mom Gene]

16 minutes ago, salamander said:

Hope we at least can still at least have the pleasure of listening to SSS as a commentator sometimes. His wit and blunt comments are entertaining and spot on. Wishing you well in retirement SSS. Gonna miss you on the field for the Ravens big time.

Absolutely agree...  He should have been a Raven much sooner. 

[KidNme]

Sad to see him go! He was the most enthusiastic player on our team. Going to be hard to find another like him.
Good luck Steve! Enjoy retirement, Now, the real work begins!

[griffrb]

I love it! No waffling. Straight and to the point!

[Bline1027]

One of the few Ravens who played with Passion and a Heartbeat.
Enjoy Retirement SSS.

[Hardhitters]

If we had changed the head coach which would lead to use changing the way the offense is handled and run then we could have gotten one more year of the magnificent Steve Smith Sr. But with things staying the same Steve would have only been promised headaches and a lack luster offense once again.

[Kouroup]

WHERE IS LATE FOR WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WalkingMan]

I was skeptical when Carolina let him go. I am a defense fanatic so I have a Ray Lewis and a CJ Mosley jersey. I wish I had known how good a football player Steve was when we got him, I would have his jersey instead of CJ's. My favorite player on the Ravens by far. Such intensity, such commitment. There are not many players that give it their all like he does. This is going to leave a big hole in our offense. He needs to be in the Hall of Fame.

[Raven552]

Every DB in the league has sent him a "Thank you for retiring" card..

[ellicottraven]

Once you took flight as a Raven from a being a Panther, you were remarkable. May you stay in flight as a Raven for all to remember!

[Moderator 3]

1 hour ago, Kouroup said:

WHERE IS LATE FOR WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Late for work today. 

[Crusader]

I wonder if Joe and Pitta will be invited to his retirement? Somehow I don't think Steve will "Check Down" those invitations.

[b93333]

A man with a giant heart and desire to win. If only Joe had a fraction of his attitude we would be in good shape as a franchise.

[lowcountryraven]

Steve,
Our receivers need your experience on route running, seeing the field and taking advantage of what the defense is giving you. Why don't you stay and become a coach? You would have my vote!!!!!

[fusuymada]

I believe had the offense under Mohrninweg not been so horrible and had Marty not been invited to return, SSS might have considered a return, but why come back to an offense that sucked all year long, no game plan to throw downfield to the receivers and then come back when there are no significant changes to make it better. I expect SSS will sign a one year deal with the Patriots so he can go out as he deserves to. I bet he is kicking himself in the butt for signing here before going and talking to Bellicek. SSS has to feel that was one of the worst decisions in his career.

Edited January 6 by fusuymada
clarity

[mc_red23]

I remember when I first started watching 'football' and about the 3rd or 4th game I ever watched featured the Panthers. All I could think throughout the game is how tough SSS was. I had no idea who he was, what position he played or anything else but I just loved watching him play, the small guy putting a beating on people much bigger than him.

[Crusader]

I believe had the offense under Mohrninweg not been so horrible and had Marty not been invited to return, SSS might have considered a return, but why come back to an offense that sucked all year long, no game plan to throw downfield to the receivers and then come back when there are no significant changes to make it better. I expect SSS will sign a one year deal with the Patriots so he can go out as he deserves to. I bet he is kicking himself in the butt for signing here before going and talking to Bellicek. SSS has to feel that was one of the worst decisions in his career.

I bet a lot of other players (and coaches) will think twice before coming to Baltimore too.

[drillem]

What a shame, a player of this caliper had to finish out his career with an outfit like this. That game last Sunday was pitiful and without reason. Had Harbie used inexperienced players in order to give them some experience, it might be different. I may resign from watching the Ravens if they don't do something different. Where do I send my letter?

[Hardhitters]

Watching Steve Smith football life again and seeing how he and Jake had that chemistry shows how Flacco and Harbaugh wasted such a good weapon. It's sad how so many fans are feed up with the Harbaugh lead ravens that watching them isn't even fun anymore. Steve B. your loyalty to Harbaugh is draining. We know Harbaugh is a good guy, maybe a great friend and positive figure but that doesn't translate to a great head coach.

Edited January 7 by Hardhitters

[Ugly Ball]

I also think SSS would have given the Ravens another year, had they just fallen short and there was something being done to fix the problems.
But with the coaches staying pat and being willing to put our crap season solely on the players heads, why would he want to come back to that mediocre mess. I can't say many players coming up for new contracts are going to want to stay in Baltimore either !

[#Nevermore]

He definitely "Play(ed) Like A Raven" in the true sense. He brought the toughness, tenacity and fight. We always need that here. It is a part of the culture started by Ray Lewis and carried on by Sizzle. The guys Ozzie brought in embodied that spirit (Boldin, Pollard D. Mason). We need to draft it again instead of getting from players at the end of their careers and being sad when they leave and take it with them. You have to draft bullies to change the culture here. The players we have are good, but IMO they are a little soft (Mosley, B. Williams, Perriman).

[OzzieBisciotti]

I think he would've stayed another year if we were close to playoff contention or had a playoff quality team- we didn't, so he left. Also, that last game was sad because of the way he went out- we didn't do anything special for him- Flacco was having a field day just trying to only throw short passes to his bff, Pitta bread, all day long...literally.. I would've retired if that happened to me as well.

[RavensRegime]

After the heartbreaking loss to the Pats and the Steelers, i knew he wasnt coming back! The team has struggled all year. I think the final straw is when he got frustrated at practice, throwing down his helmet and sitting. The Ravens supposed to be a championship contender every year, but out of the 3 years he been here, we've been once. I dont blame him for calling it quits. Of course he could've sign somewhere else, but he retired wearing a Ravens uniform. My fav player in the last 12 seasons. Congrats on SSS retirement.

[Rav'n Maniac]

That letter is classic Steve Smith and a copy should be forwarded to the HOF to be placed with his jersey and cleats on display.

[steelraven]

I feel sorry for Steve Smith, you know he has to ask himself if it was the right decision to come to Baltimore and not New England. Steve Smith deserved a super bowl ring.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Watching Steve Smith football life again and seeing how he and Jake had that chemistry shows how Flacco and Harbaugh wasted such a good weapon. It's sad how so many fans are feed up with the Harbaugh lead ravens that watching them isn't even fun anymore. Steve B. your loyalty to Harbaugh is draining. We know Harbaugh is a good guy, maybe a great friend and positive figure but that doesn't translate to a great head coach.

You don't know anything about SSS or you would know he thought highly of the Ravens AND the coaches. He would never point the finger at anyone because of a lackluster season. Shame on you as a "fan". If it makes you feel better and more "fun" watch the Pats. Maybe you would like watching the cheaters play.