Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. announced today that he is not retiring this season after all.
Smith confirmed the news himself on Twitter with a list of things he plans to do in 2016. The last thing on the list: “Make a comeback, returning to the Baltimore Ravens ready to play football in 2016.”
“Wit the blessing of My Family, Friends & Fans!! 2016 Let’s give ’em hell,” he also wrote.
Smith, who will likely be elected to the Hall of Fame once he retires, spent the first 13 years of his career with the Carolina Panthers and reached the Super Bowl after the 2003 season. He signed a three-year contract with the Ravens in March 2014, but said he was going to retire after the 2015 season.
His retirement tour didn’t go as planned. During the eighth game of the season on Nov. 1, he tore his Achilles, ending his season. He had 46 catches with 670 yards and caught three touchdowns before his injury.
In his career, Smith has 961 receptions, 13,932 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns. He’s made five Pro Bowls and won the 2005 NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year award. He was drafted by the Panthers in 2001.