Defensive tackle Michael Pierce is officially hanging up his cleats. The 32-year-old announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday via the Sports Spectrum Podcast.

“I’d like to thank a few people personally,” Pierce said after explaining his reasons for retiring now. “Obviously, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first and foremost.” He then went on to thank family members and NFL coaches, front-office personnel and teammates.

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Pierce, who went undrafted out of Samford University in 2016, carved out quite a career for himself. He signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016, made the team, played in all 16 games his rookie year, and established himself as a key piece in Baltimore’s defensive front for the following three seasons.

He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2020, but opted out of that season due to COVID-19. He returned in 2021, yet played in only eight games with the Vikings due to an elbow injury. After being released in March 2022, Pierce re-signed with the Ravens just days later and played his final three NFL seasons in Baltimore.

The first and only interception of his career came this past season in the fourth quarter of a 35-10 win against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 4 — his final regular-season game. The 355-pounder became the biggest NFL player to record an interception since at least 2000.

BIG MAN INT

Michael Pierce thought about it pic.twitter.com/MLmRVxzr12

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 5, 2025

Pierce finishes his career with 238 regular-season tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and the one interception. He also added 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks in six postseason games over four seasons.

“I wanted to bring light to God,” Pierce said on the podcast when asked why he chose Sports Spectrum to announce his big news. “Obviously, He’s the only reason I’m here. … I’m grateful for everything that God has blessed me with. And like I said, it’s been a true joy.”

Pierce went on to detail the privileges as well as the pressures of growing up as a pastor’s kid in Alabama. He was in church for hours each Sunday, hearing the Word of God and benefiting from a community of believers. However, the implicit expectations for perfection from the son of the pastor wore on him.

“To the PKs (pastors’ kids), there’s something I had to learn,” he said. “You cannot get by on your parents’ faith. You cannot get by on your parents’ faith. I had to learn that in college when I got myself into a situation. I wasn’t playing and all this stuff, and my life just was a mess. And I ended up transferring to Samford from Tulane. I had to learn faith for myself, not through ritual, not through anything else, but through my relationship [with Christ].”

 

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A post shared by Michael Pierce (@mpierce_97)

Pierce, who rededicated his life to Christ and was baptized in 2020, is already busy filling up his post-NFL schedule. He enjoys art and gardening, and he plans to enter the world of real estate with some of his family members. He’s also planning to give much of his time to ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and with Ransom, a Christian campus ministry that began at Samford (a private Christian university in Homewood, Alabama) and has extended to many universities in the Southeast U.S.

“I’ve just been able to do more than — I guess [the Bible] would say exceedingly more than, abundantly more than — you can ever think or imagine. … God’s handprint has guided me to this point,” he said. “And then I’m sure He’s going to send me somewhere else where I can use His voice and His reason and His grace to, you know, magnify His presence in my life and others’ as well.

“…I’m just going to walk the way God has called me to walk and be the person He’s called me to be.”

Pierce also sent Sports Spectrum this personal message he wanted to share:

A 251 Love Story

God: None of this is possible without Your presence, guidance and covering through my life.

Being born in Mobile, Alabama, is special. It’s home of Mardi Gras and, more importably in my case, the Senior Bowl. As a youth, I remember my parents checking me out of school to go get autographs from all the legendary players coming into town to set themselves up for the upcoming draft. It was like Christmas for me. Meeting the guys I watched for on TV every Saturday made things feel more tangible. For a few years, Mobile produced the most NFL players in the country per capita. I vividly remember going to see the likes of Pat White, JaMarcus Russell, Julio Jones and countless others, until my time came to play in high school.

I’ve been playing this game of football since 4 years old. Growing up in my dad’s shadow, Michael Pierce Sr., was tough for me. My father won a state title for his local high school and went on to break records at Tulane University down in New Orleans, Louisiana, played in the Senior Bowl, and received a free-agent offer from the Philadelphia Eagles. I was constantly told I would never be as good as my dad — that served as motivation as I continued to grow older and wanted to make a name for myself. I was blessed with the most supportive parents who allowed me to dream, and taught me the value of faith and working hard for everything you prayed for. Those principles allowed me to get to this point today.

Throughout my journey, God has placed so many amazing people and lessons in my path that it’d be impossible to thank every single person, but here’s a short list of them, in no particular order, that need recognition.

My parents and brother: You’ve been my rock through the highs and certainly the lows of life, not only in my career. You guys have given me so much love and support that words can’t express.

Erica Pierce: You are a special woman whom God has entrusted to me. Your support, love, grace and presence has also allowed me to reach heights that I didn’t know I could achieve.

Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta: My GMs, thank you for giving me my start and also thank you for entrusting me be a leader on this team.

John Harbaugh: Playing for you and reaching the highs we’ve achieved has been nothing short of amazing. Coach, I couldn’t be more grateful for your leadership.

Dr. Trisha Bentley & Johnny Shelton: You two will forever have a special place in my heart and life. Thank you all for everything!

Mama Val & Megan McLaughlin: You are truly the heartbeat of the organization and favorites of my wife and I.

Brandon Williams, Terrell Suggs, Lawrence Guy: My mentors coming in as an undrafted player. You guys modeled what being a Raven and high-impact player and leader looked like.

Brent Urban: My best friend in the league and the other half of the “fun bunch.” We’ve been through the highs and lows of this league together and ultimately found success playing beside each other over multiple seasons.

Special shoutout to Daphne High School & Samford University: I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and opportunities I’ve been afforded.

Lastly to my teammates/brothers: We’ve achieved our dreams and made communities and people smile along the way! That’s a joy I’ll carry with me forever. I’m grateful for each of you.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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