Skip to content

Ravens' Steve Smith doesn't plan to play into his 40s

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith gave an honest response Thursday when asked if he plans to play past the age of 40 like Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

"Jerry Rice is obviously the greatest wide receiver to ever play, and I really don't have the family structure to chase 40, to be honest," Smith said, via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. "I have got a lot of things on my to-do list that don't have anything to do with football. I'm going to take it day by day, but I will not be playing until I'm 40."

Smith, who turned 36 earlier this month, never questioned returning for a 15th season. He announced his intentions of playing another year immediately after the Ravens' playoff loss to the New England Patriots in January.

"I was pretty sure I was coming back," Smith said. "I left here knowing what my plans were, and my family knew what the plans were. ...

"I think age is a number. Right now, I feel good and I’m playing well, so I think that 36 is good.”

Smith started every game for the Ravens last season and finished with a team-leading 79 catches for 1,065 yards.

"I think I look halfway decent," Smith said. "I think there are teams that probably drafted a wide receiver hoping that they could get a guy fresh out of college to put up 1,000 yards like I did."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox