Matt Birk has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, the last winning a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens.
Birk, a graduate of Harvard and the 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, announced his retirement Friday at Battle Grove Elementary School in Baltimore.Ravens coach John Harbaugh says the 36-year-old center played the best of his four seasons in Baltimore this past year.A sixth-round draft selection in 1998, Birk played 11 seasons in Minnesota before going to Baltimore. He went to six Pro Bowls and played 210 regular-season games with 124 consecutive starts, including the playoffs.Birk also has agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord to the Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University’s School of Medicine for head trauma research.Briefly • Lions: Receiver Nate Burleson, whose 2012 season ended in October when he broke his leg, agreed to restructure his contract for the upcoming season. • Titans: Safety George Wilson, released earlier this month after nine seasons in Buffalo, agreed to terms on a multiyear contract. • Award: Don Shula, the NFL’s career leader with 328 coaching victories, will be honored with the Lamar Hunt Award given annually to an individual who helped shape professional football.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
