Ravens C Matt Birk Retires After 15 Seasons In NFL

BALTIMORE (AP) — Matt Birk, a former Minnesota Viking and prep star at Cretin-Derham Hall, has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, the last winning a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens.

Birk announced his retirement Friday at Battle Grove Elementary School.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh says the 34-year-old center played the best of his four seasons in Baltimore this past year.

A sixth-round draft selection in 1998, Birk played 11 seasons in Minnesota before going to Baltimore. He went to six Pro Bowls and played 210 regular-season games with 124 consecutive starts, including the playoffs. Birk also has agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord to the Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University's School of Medicine for head trauma research.

Ravens receiver Torrey Smith tweeted Friday that Birk was truly a great role model and parent.

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