| 1 | FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith stands on the field during NFL football training camp in Owings Mills, Md. |
| 2 | Steve Smith says he will retire at the end of the 2015 season, his 15th in the NFL. |
| 3 | The five-time Pro Bowler announced Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, that he will walk away from the game after the second season of a three-year contract with Baltimore. |
| 4 | (AP) -- Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, one of 12 players in NFL history with 900 catches, says he will retire after this season - his 15th in the league. |
| 5 | The five-time Pro Bowler spent his first 13 season with Carolina. |
| 6 | He intends to leave after the second season of a three-year contract with Baltimore. |
| 7 | He informed his teammates Monday before practice at training camp. |
| 8 | ''I'll look back and enjoy things,'' Smith said. |
| 9 | ''I feel like it's time. |
| 10 | The 36-year-old receiver made his decision in April. |
| 11 | Last season he caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns to help the Ravens reach the second round of the playoffs. |
| 12 | Smith has 13,000 receiving yards and 70 touchdown receptions for his career. |
| 13 | He was a third-round draft pick in 2001 and has played 14 or more games in all but one season. |
| 14 | ''I don't want to hold on,'' Smith said. |
| 15 | ''Jerry Rice is the best receiver to ever play, but I don't believe that chasing whatever it is to chase for four more years would be conducive to my family or me. |
| 16 | Smith is the Panthers' career leader in catches and was released by Carolina after the 2013 season. |
| 17 | His wife, Angie, and four children live in Charlotte, N.C., a factor that contributed to his decision despite his estimation that he could play two or three more years. |
| 18 | ''It's very difficult,'' Smith said. |
| 19 | The Ravens signed Smith last year to lead a young group of receivers. |
| 20 | He quickly reinforced his reputation for being a fierce competitor. |
| 21 | ''I don't think you can get by in this league without a guy with that personality,'' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. |
| 22 | ''He's just a guy who is a pit bull. |
| 23 | He's like Daddy pit bull and he's got all these little young pit bulls that he's trying to raise up the right way. |
| 24 | After the Ravens lost to New England in the 2014 divisional round in January, general manager Ozzie Newsome advised the veteran receiver to think about his future. |
| 25 | Members of the organization were not surprised by Smith's decision to retire at the end of the season. |
| 26 | ''Ozzie asked me to think about it,'' Smith said. |
| 27 | ''He's great at what he does and he can look at guys' eyes and kind of see things. |
| 28 | He said to take my time. |
| 29 | I knew that I wanted to give it one more try. |
| 30 | I worked out and said, 'You know what? |
| 31 | After signing with the Ravens last year, Smith said his biggest goal was to win a championship after falling short with Carolina against New England in the Super Bowl. |