Football

Ravens receiver Steve Smith Sr. announces he is not retiring

Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., above, and Washington Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver were ejected for their roles in an on-field fight late in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., above, and Washington Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver were ejected for their roles in an on-field fight late in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium. AP

Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., the leading receiver in Carolina Panthers history, announced on Twitter today that will be returning to the Baltimore Ravens to play a 16th NFL season.

Smith, who suffered a season-ending right Achilles tendon tear on Nov. 1, had declared that this season would be his last. But Smith’s Twitter post confirmed he plans to return for the final year of his three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Ravens.

Smith - considered a strong contender for the NFL Hall of Fame - will turn 37 in May.

He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft and has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He is the Panthers' all-time leader in total touchdowns (67), receptions (836), and receiving yards (12,197).

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 12:49 PM with the headline "Ravens receiver Steve Smith Sr. announces he is not retiring."

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