Former Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata capped a wild week by bidding farewell to the city of Baltimore on Sunday.
The five-time Pro Bowl selection took out a full-page ad in The Baltimore Sun in which he thanked fans as well as the Ravens organization after nine years together. On Tuesday, general manager Ozzie Newsome traded Ngata to the Detroit Lions in exchange for fourth-round and fifth-round selections in this spring’s draft after the sides were unable to work out a contract extension to lower his $16 million salary cap figure for the 2015 season.
With several days to reflect on the 31-year-old’s career in Baltimore, where would you rank Ngata among the greatest players in franchise history? You could probably make a decent argument to list him as high as fourth behind the slam-dunk trio of Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Ed Reed, but others such as Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware, Jamal Lewis, and Joe Flacco are very much in the argument to be ranked just behind those first three.
Feel free to make your argument in the comments section for where Ngata should rank.
Below is what the 2006 first-round pick wrote in Sunday’s full-page ad:
Dear Baltimore,
Although my playing days have come to an end here in Baltimore, my family and I want to say an enormous thank you to the great people in this city and the members of Ravens Nation everywhere. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to play for the Baltimore Ravens for the last nine years and to hear you passionately cheering us on each and every week.
I want you to know how much I appreciate the way you welcomed me in and made me a part of the Baltimore community. When I came to Baltimore as a rookie, I did not know anyone in Maryland. And, yet, for nearly a decade, you provided the perfect place for me to develop as a player, grow as a man, start a life with my wife, raise my three boys, make friendships that will last a lifetime, and have experiences I will treasure forever.
I would like to thank the Modell family for their everlasting support; Mr. Steve Bisciotti for his great leadership in the Ravens’ organization; Mr. Ozzie Newsome for drafting me and bringing me to the Ravens; coach Brian Billick for coaching me during my early years; and coach John Harbaugh for teaching us to “Play Like a Raven” and coaching us to the ultimate goal: Super Bowl XLVII champions! To each coach and each staff member at the Ravens’ facility, past and present: thank you. I could not have had the career I did in Baltimore without your help.
I also need to thank my brothers-in-arms. I have played with the best teammates any athlete could ask for. Thank you for pushing me to become the best player I could be. The things we have accomplished together as Baltimore Ravens will link us together forever with a bond that cannot be broken.
Last, I want to give a public shoutout to my brothers and sister. Thank you for your undying love and support. Mom and Dad are proud when they look down on us from above.
I am looking forward to the experiences that await my family and me in the future, but please know that I will carry a part of Ravens Nation with me in my heart wherever I go for the rest of my life.
Ofa Lahi Atu,
Haloti Ngata, #92
