After announcing his retirement from the NFL last week, Jarret Johnson is coming home to officially finish his career where it started.
The former Ravens linebacker will sign a one-day contract to retire with the organization that selected him in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. The 33-year-old Johnson spent nine years in Baltimore and was one of the most respected players in franchise history for his toughness and durability as he played in 129 consecutive games to conclude his Ravens career — once a franchise record — before departing to sign with the San Diego Chargers in 2012.
Johnson’s departure from the Ravens was amicable but difficult as he saw his former team go on to win Super Bowl XLVII while he spent his first season in San Diego. Though not as flashy on the field as former teammates such as Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the University of Alabama product earned the respect of Ravens fans for his blue-collar approach while becoming a permanent starter in 2007.
He finished his run in Baltimore with 382 tackles, 20 sacks, three interceptions, and nine forced fumbles in nine seasons in addition to setting a franchise record for consecutive games played that was surpassed by punter Sam Koch this past year.
