During the remarkable Super Bowl XLVII run, it was easy to get caught up in all of the “flashy” players—guys that caught a 70-yard touchdown pass, or those that put their names in the record books for postseason touchdown/interception numbers.
And then of course there was that retiring player having his “last ride.”
However, there was another player on the Ravens who was preparing to retire whenever the season happened to come to an end.
Though he wasn’t the big name in the media, Matt Birk’s role on the Baltimore Ravens was felt by everyone on the field from the day he came to Baltimore. The 15-year veteran started every game during his four-year tenure in Charm City. In 2012, everything that he had worked for during his long career in the trenches became real.
His first Championship was under his belt and he had done everything he wanted to do—but would the challenge of winning back-to-back be enough to bring him back for another season?
Birk explained the difficulty in making his decision to me via email.
“I decided about a month after the Super Bowl. I was torn. It’s hard to win a Super Bowl, but it’s harder to repeat. Something about that challenge was appealing, but at the end of the day I didn’t want to push my luck. It was a great way to end it.”
Indeed it was a great way to end a very impressive career. A six-time pro-bowler who was (and is) extremely active off of the field, Birk has made himself a role model for many.
When I asked him what he liked about being in Baltimore, he replied, “Definitely the people… It’s a city with a lot of pride. The folks are real, they care about each other and they definitely love their teams. But we are very grateful to the people of Baltimore because they made us feel very welcomed from day one.”
While Birk thanks the people of Baltimore, I think the people of Baltimore are the ones that should thank the former Walter Peyton Man of the Year for the limitless time he invested in helping the community of Baltimore with his charity, HIKE Foundation.
We switched gears a bit and Birk told me how he expects the 2013 Ravens to fare.
“The Ravens will be just fine,” he said. “Ozzie and Harbs know exactly what they’re doing. I think, on paper, they might be better than last year’s team.”
“Same old Joe,” Birk said when asked what he expects from Joe Flacco after the quarterback signed his off-season contract. “Nothing will change. That’s just who Joe is.”
He also teased when I asked if he’s still close to his former teammates.
“Yeah, I make sure to bug those guys on a regular basis. Retired players are an annoyance to current players. I’ve embraced that role. I call them and make sure they know I’m rooting for them. And I mention how good life is on the other side.”
Embracing whatever role he’s currently in – that’s Matt Birk, a guy that knows how to balance business and friendliness better than anyone.
He embodies class. I think I speak for everyone in Baltimore when I say—Thank you, Mr. Birk. We all will miss your play on the field and your help off the field.
