OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Longtime Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce is retiring after eight seasons -- and one memorable interception.
"After much prayer, talking to my family, going through the grind and being satisfied with where I am, looking foward to other things in my life, I've decided to call it a career," Pierce announced on the Sports Spectrum podcast Wednesday.
Pierce, 32, built his career on being a run-stopping force on the interior for Baltimore. In his seven seasons with the Ravens, the defense finished in the top five against the run five times, including No. 1 last season.
But Pierce will be remembered by many for his only interception, which came in his final regular-season game. Toward the end of a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 4, Pierce dropped into coverage and picked off quarterback Bailey Zappe.
He began to return it but dropped to his knees, despite having an open field in front of him, and was swarmed by jubilant teammates. At 355 pounds, he became the heaviest NFL player to make an interception in the last 25 years, according to ESPN Research.
Michael Pierce with the sneak attack!!
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 5, 2025
Tune in on ESPN pic.twitter.com/6yDXyz9LCd
After going undrafted in 2018, Pierce, who opted out of the 2020 season, totaled 238 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 99 career games with the Ravens and Minnesota Vikings. In his final season, he made less of an impact as his playing time significantly decreased -- participating in a career-low 32% of the Ravens' defensive snaps.
Pierce was scheduled to make $1.255 million in the final season of his two-year, $7.5 million contract.
