NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith, who played for the Maryland Terrapins in college and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011 where he played four seasons, has announced his retirement.
Smith made the announcement via a Twitter video, reading an emotional letter in which he thanks his teammates, coaches and others for the opportunity to make his dream come true as a player in the NFL as well as shape him as a person who can be successful in the next chapter of his life.
The Ravens selected Smith in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, using the 58th overall pick to add him as a wide receiver with serious speed to the team. In his first season with Baltimore, Smith became the first NFL rookie, and 12th player ever, to catch three touchdown passes in a single quarter of play.
In 2012, Smith put up an incredible performance a day after his younger brother died in a motorcycle accident when the Ravens took on their rival New England Patriots. Smith hauled in 6 passes for 127 yards for 2 TDs to help the Ravens win 31-30. The Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
After 2014, Smith left the Ravens via free agency and joined the San Francisco 49ers. He played two seasons with the team before he was released. He won his second Super Bowl ring in 2017 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith played for the Carolina Panthers in 2018 and was released by the team on September 1, 2019.
In addition to being a NFL wide receiver, Smith was perhaps just as well known for his charity work. He started his own non-profit called the Torrey Smith Foundation to provide support to at-risk youth with physical, educational and financial challenges and to support those who have been affected by domestic violence. Part of his work for his charity, Smith hosts a widely-popular annual charity basketball game in Baltimore at Royal Farms Arena. This year was the 8th incarnation and many of his former teammates and current Ravens players join together to raise money for the cause.
During his 8-year NFL career, Smith accrued 319 catches for 5,141 yards and 41 touchdowns.