After 11 seasons, 131 career starts and a Super Bowl ring, longtime Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is retiring. The Ravens made the announcement Monday morning and will hold a press conference on Smith’s retirement this afternoon.
The 27th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith arrived in Baltimore after a stellar career in Colorado. In his second season in Baltimore, Smith helped the Ravens win the franchise’s second title after Baltimore defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. He made two key saves in the 49ers’ last practice that helped Baltimore record a 34-31 victory.
Smith became a full-time starter the following season. That season, Smith set career highs for tackles (58), passes defended (15), and forced fumbles (three) while intercepting two passes. Two years later, Smith set a new career high for single-season interceptions while recording the first of his two career picks.
Considered one of the best cover-corners of his time, Smith broke 74 passes during his career. And although injuries have limited his availability over the past two seasons, Smith was still a formidable defender when called upon to deliver.
“Man, it’s the Ravens,” Smith said at the end of the 2021 season, as the Ravens tried to make a playoff push despite numerous injuries. “We could be reduced to nothing but the guys on the practice squad, the mentality that we have won’t change. Coach (John) Harbaugh won’t change. The belief that we should win will never change. . That’s the mentality here, and I like that.”