Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Former Samford DT Michael Pierce Announces Retirement After Nine Seasons

Originally posted on FCS Football on SI
By Zachary McKinnell | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 1:33 PM ET

Former Samford defensive tackle Michael Pierce announced his retirement after nine seasons in the NFL on Wednesday.

Pierce played seven of his nine seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He played two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before returning to the Ravens for his final three seasons.

"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," Pierce announced on the Sports Spectrum podcast. "It's been a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful nine years."

BIG news from Ravens DT Michael Pierce on our Sports Spectrum podcast @Sports_Spectrum pic.twitter.com/ziO5ZXi43X
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 12, 2025

In 99 career games over nine seasons, Pierce recorded 238 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one interception.

Pierce made headlines in his final regular season game this season, making the game-sealing interception against Browns quarterback Bailey Zappe. According to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner, Pierce is the only 355-pound player to record an interception in an NFL game since 2000.

"I was shocked myself bro, I'm not gonna lie to you"

Michael Pierce breaks down the pick: pic.twitter.com/Mpnv7wE8L3
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 10, 2025

Pierce started his collegiate career at Tulane, playing two seasons with the Green Wave before transferring to Samford. He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2011.

In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Pierce recorded 130 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. He earned All-SoCon honors in back-to-back seasons (2014-15) while being named the Preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year ahead of his senior season.

Congratulations Michael Pierce on an incredible NFL career‼️#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford pic.twitter.com/ZQoplxWHc2
— Samford Football (@SamfordFootball) March 12, 2025

This article first appeared on FCS Football on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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