Steve Smith, Sr. reminded us this morning why we’re all going to miss him so much by sharing online his official resignation letter to the NFL.
Smith is finally retiring after 16 seasons in the NFL, the final three of which he spent with the Ravens. We all knew it was coming. Smith himself, never one to throw in the towel, even admitted last week that he was “89 percent sure” of it.
This morning, Smith shared the two-sentence resignation letter he sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Gooddell (cc’d to Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and the NFL Players Association). It reads:
Dear Commissioner Gooddell,
This is to notify you that as of today I, Steve Smith Sr., will no longer be antagonizing defensive backs. I am retiring from the National Football League.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Steve Smith Sr.
As undersized receiver in today’s NFL, Smith did spend his career antagonizing his defenders though his speed, toughness and love of smack talk. Last week, Sports Illustrated honored him with a video that compiled some of his greatest trash-talking moments. Take a look here:
Beyond his trash-talking abilities, Smith earned his place in the record books. He finished his career ranked seventh all-time in receiving yards, 12th all-time in total receptions and 26th in touchdowns among receivers.
Ravens Nation can be thankful he gave his all even at the tail end of his career here in Baltimore. Hopefully somewhere down the line, he’ll make his actual final stop in the NFL at the Hall of Fame in Canton.
