[News] Zachary Orr Announces Early Retirement Because Of Spinal Condition

[BR News]

The Ravens linebacker's congenital back condition was discovered after an injury in the Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers game. Orr had already beaten the odds by becoming a standout player after being an undrafted free agent in 2014. Turns out, he also beat the odds by playing football for 15 years.

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[RavensDieHard21]

Wow that really sucks! I am glad he is alright and that he was a raven but now we have another huge hole to fill. 

Reuben Foster anyone?

[January J]

Complete shock. He was right on the verge of becoming a star. Glad they found it before he was seriously injured though or even worse. As much as this sucks - football is not life.

[RaRaRavens]

Wow, total shocker. But so happy for Orr that he is able to walk away from football healthy. Just to think that on any given play he could have been easily paralyzed or even killed...jeesh. Very glad for him that he can live a full, healthy and satisfying life now, that's the most important thing.

[Wildwest Raven]

Tip of the hat to the Ravens' organization for discovering it, where others missed it, before he was seriously disabled. We're gonna miss you Zach!

[iluvpurple]

Heartbroken for Zachary, and truly sad for the team and us fans, but his health is most important. The best of wishes always to him in his life outside of football 💜🏈😔

[sami]

I cant be sad for Zach Orr. He did what most people are only able to dream about. He got to not only play but start for the best organization in the NFL. He proved he was good enough to be a top player. He got to come out of the tunnel, hear his name announced, soak in the 70,000 cheers he got evey game and earned the respect of not only his teammates and his fans but players from every other team. He lived the dream. How can you be sad for him? Next stop coaching. I wish him luck in whatever he does.

[Trevarski]

I wonder if Mr. Biscotti will offer some sort of financial help for Orr. Maybe a job as a scout, assistant, or something.

[RowdyMan52]

Heartbroken but I respect him more because, he know there is more to life than football.. Good Luck Orr!! #Raven4Lyfe

[Bat-mite]

Man, that's sad! But so glad he has a long life ahead of him if he takes care of himself. Wow, this is sudden, and stunning. Glad he is taking it better than I am.

[BiggMack91]

wow this leaves a huge hole in the middle of are defense sad day for the ravens nation keep your head up Zachary Orr you will be missed

[ellicottraven]

Why do such things happen to the best people? I've always wondered about it. Hey Zack be thankful that it was caught early and you're able to walk away as 2nd team All Pro NFL player! With your character, determination and work ethic you'll excel at anything you attempt. God Speed young man!

[52liveforever]

he's a great student of the game. I hope very much he finds his way back to Baltimore as a coach one day.

[RavensRegime]

Zachary understands that this is just a game! I wish him nothing but the best. We gonna miss ya....

Edited January 20 by RavensRegime

[Crusader]

That really sucks and he never got that big pay check to help out.

[TheKingFlip31]

Just heard his interview. Maybe he reads this, maybe he won't. But hopefully his career in football doesn't end here. Hopefully he becomes a coach and teaches the things that made him successful to some lucky kids. He was too small, too slow, and too unathletic to get drafted or signed to a bigger school than North Texas....but he came into the NFL and showed us he wasn't too small, too slow, or too unathletic....you'll be missed and thank you for an excellent year! Best of luck to you!

[leziRav]

wish you the best Zach. Thank God nothing serious happened to you on field. We lost Tray Walker and now Zach to congenital neck issue. I wish something big positive happened to this organization. We really need it, maybe 3 SBs in the next 3 year

[leziRav]

Wow that really sucks! I am glad he is alright and that he was a raven but now we have another huge hole to fill. 

Reuben Foster anyone?

I thing we have in house replacement. No need to waste a first rd there.

[b93333]

Good football player and a good man. Godspeed to you.

[Crusader]

  4 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Wow that really sucks! I am glad he is alright and that he was a raven but now we have another huge hole to fill. 

Reuben Foster anyone?

I thing we have in house replacement. No need to waste a first rd there.

I think your right. Onwuasor, Patrick, McClellan, Albert, or Louis, Lamar.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Best of luck to you Zach. God bless.

[omar586]

LB has not been a big issue for us, we can always look into the UDFAs pool to pluck a gem, i just hope ozzie adds lot of 4th and 5th rounds picks, he's doing great in those rounds.

[leziRav]

  2 hours ago, leziRav said:

  5 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Wow that really sucks! I am glad he is alright and that he was a raven but now we have another huge hole to fill. 

Reuben Foster anyone?

I thing we have in house replacement. No need to waste a first rd there.

I think your right. Onwuasor, Patrick, McClellan, Albert, or Louis, Lamar.

adding KC to that pool. This year was his first year as ILB. I think the kid is not a bust and will turn out to be a good Raven player. We had Zach as starter only in the last year of his rookie contract. I think ILB is not need.

[Grapple Raven]

Zac, my heart breaks for you at the news, but at the same time I am also rejoicing for you in your good fortune of having caught this early enough to prevent devastating consequences to your quality of life.  You are truly a blessed young man, and just remember that when one door is closed another will open and that he always has a better purpose for you!  Godspeed Zac!

[Mahatma_Sloth]

You are doing the right thing. You can rest easy knowing, however short it was, you made it to the highest level.

[TheConquerorWorm]

  2 hours ago, Crusader said:

  4 hours ago, leziRav said:

  7 hours ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

Wow that really sucks! I am glad he is alright and that he was a raven but now we have another huge hole to fill. 

Reuben Foster anyone?

I thing we have in house replacement. No need to waste a first rd there.

I think your right. Onwuasor, Patrick, McClellan, Albert, or Louis, Lamar.

adding KC to that pool. This year was his first year as ILB. I think the kid is not a bust and will turn out to be a good Raven player. We had Zach as starter only in the last year of his rookie contract. I think ILB is not need.

Onwuasor can easily replace Orr. He did it in the last game against Cincy. And he hits HARD. Plus, he's an "alpha dawg, bad boy" that had off-field character issues in college - that means HOF to some on here....

[Ravensfolyfe]

Just sad for him but his health and life is more important.

[OzzieBisciotti]

Damn shame that this young man had to leave like this, but it could've been much worse- so he's doing the right thing to put this into perspective. I'm happy he's leaving on his own term and with his health.

[Crusader]

Looks like will have a rookie playing in that position.That will cause games.

[Rav'n Maniac]

I am floored that Zach has to retire. Although, he was blessed to have the CT scan show his issue before something much more serious occurred.

I guess that we'll get to see what the wonder kid that we drafted in the second round can do now. Time to show us something.