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Ravens' Orr retires at 24 due to congenital neck condition

Evan Habeeb / USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Zach Orr has retired after three seasons in the NFL because of a serious injury, the team announced Friday.

Orr has a congenital neck condition that will force him to end his career. The condition was discovered after he sustained a herniated disc in Week 16 and further tests revealed the neck condition.

"I’m blessed and thankful that I'm able to walk away from the game in good health," said Orr in a press conference.

Orr denied reports that the Ravens attempted to convince him to keep playing, calling them "110 percent false," according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

The 24-year-old was named a second-team All-Pro, along with nine other linebackers, following the 2016 season.

Orr started 15 games in 2016, missing Week 17 with the neck injury, and made a team-leading 132 combined tackles. He also had five passes defensed, three interceptions, and a forced fumble.

The undrafted Orr was set to cash in this offseason with his rookie contract expiring, but will instead move on to the next phase of his life.

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