Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will retire at end of 2015 season

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith will retire at the end of the 2015 season.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will retire at the end of the 2015 season, Smith announced on Monday.

The 2015 season will be Smith's 15th in the NFL. The 36-year-old spent the first 13 years of his career with the Carolina Panthers before signing a three-year contract with the Ravens in March 2014.

“I feel like this is the best place, if this is going to be the end, this will be the best place to end,” Smith told the media. “I think it's always easier when you know you have a finish line. You get to let things loose. You just do things where you're like, ‘Man, whatever happens.’ You just kind of let the chips fall where they may.”

A five-time Pro Bowler, Smith enters this season with 13,262 receiving yards and 73 receiving touchdowns in 198 career games. In 2005, he earned the NFL Receiving Triple Crown after leading the league in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and receiving touchdowns (12).

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Smith has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in eight different seasons, including a 1,065-yard, six-touchdown year for Baltimore in 2014. He left the Panthers as their all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, punt return yards and punt return touchdowns.

You can watch Smith's full comments on his decision to make the 2015 season his last below.

WATCH as Steve Smith announces his retirement plans. http://t.co/mPQcoJ61Il

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 10, 2015

- Molly Geary