Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce has announced his retirement after eight seasons in the NFL according to the Sports Spectrum Podcast.

“After nine seasons, after much prayer, talking to my family, going through the grind and being satisfied where I am, looking forward to other things in my life, I’ve decided to call it a career,” said on the podcast.

The 32-year-old Pierce originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Samford in 2016.  He made the team's 53-man roster as a rookie and never looked back, becoming one of the league's stoutest nose tackles.  

Pierce played in Baltimore until 2019, then played for the Vikings in 2020 and 2021 before returning to Baltimore in 2022.  Last season Pierce played in 11 games with one start, 

For many fans, Pierce’s most memorable moment will be the last snap he played in his final regular-season game, when he intercepted a pass from Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe and delighted teammates and fans with the sight of a 355-pound ball carrier, until Pierce decided to just go down and celebrate that he had clinched the Ravens’ win.