Baltimore Ravens: Remembering Jarret Johnson

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson is retiring. Johnson was a classic Ravens player: gritty, nasty, and hard-hitting. Although Baltimore was not the last team he played for, he has officially retired a Raven.

It may come as a small surprise given Johnson is 33 and is still capable of warranting a spot on a roster. But as we all know, life for most in the NFL is short and Johnson certainly was prolonging his career playing with the intensity he did.

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Johnson was selected 109th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He got right to work by starting all 16 games, recording 18 tackles, 30 the next season, and 61 the following, along with his first interception. Johnson was a production machine for Baltimore.

His versatility was apparent at defensive end, inside linebacker, against the run, and coverage skills to boot. He may not have been Terrell Suggs, but he certainly reminded me of him as a tempo setter.

“In Ozzie we trust.” I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but Ozzie Newsome certainly knows a good player when he sees one.

He played in purple until 2012 when he signed a four-year deal with the San Diego Chargers which is where he stayed until his exit from football.

Although Ozzie and company are currently at the NFL limit of a 90 player roster and thus are unable to sign Johnson then place him on reserve-retired list, they plan to do so soon as they roster has been trimmed and constraints are no longer an issue.

In 12 seasons in the NFL, nine with the Ravens, he recorded 20 sacks and only missed one game. Jarret Johnson is a football player through and through. A one of a kind one at that. On behalf of the Baltimore Wire staff and Ravens nation, thank you Jarret Johnson. It’s been a pleasure and glad to have you retire at home in purple and black.

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