Rolando McClain, 23, retires suddenly

Jim Corbett | USA TODAY Sports

Troubled linebacker Rolando McClain's tenure as a Baltimore Raven ended abruptly with his mysterious retirement -- at age 23 -- barely one month after signing with the team.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome announced via the team's Twitter account that the former first-round pick was placed on the reserve/retired list Wednesday.

"Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL," Newsome said.

Newsome did not give a reason for the unexpected move.

At least one family member was caught by surprise. McClain's grandmother, Rachel Ervin, was shocked when she heard the news.

"He did what now?" she said to USA TODAY Sports.

He retired.

"Who did?"

Rolando.

"Oh, Lord have mercy," she said.

When she first answered and a news reporter said he was calling about Rolando, she replied, "Is Rolando OK?"

Ten days after signing a one-year, $700,000 deal with the defending Super Bowl champions, McClain was arrested April 22 in his hometown of Decatur, Ala., and charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. It was the last in a series of run-ins with police over his short professional career.

Police said the former Crimson Tide star yelled an obscenity at officers after they responded to a disturbance at a park in his hometown. It was the 23-year-old McClain's third arrest in 16 months -- with all of the arrests occurring in his hometown.

The eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft, McClain was released by the Oakland Raiders on April 5 after a troubled 2012 season during which his playing time was reduced and he was kicked out of a practice.

He was already on thin ice with the Raiders after an arrest in December 2011, when he was charged with third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and illegal discharge of a firearm within the city's limits.Charges were dropped when his accuser decided not to pursue the case.

In January, McClain was arrested in Decatur again after writing a false name and an obscenity on a traffic ticket.

Newsome was clear before the draft in indicating that McClain had better be on his best behavior, saying the linebacker was "getting an opportunity to make our 53-man roster. That's it.''

The Ravens extended McClain a second NFL chance with the hope that he could stay out of trouble and fill holes left by the retirement of linebacker Ray Lewis, the free agent departure of linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and the uncertainty of linebacker Jameel McClain's return from last season's serious spinal cord injury.

The Ravens had a Plan B, however, and addressed the inside linebacker position with their second-round draft selection of former Kansas State star Arthur Brown.

At least for now, McClain's turbulent three-year NFL career ends with 274 tackles (195 solo), 6 1/2 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and 23 passes defensed in 41 career games with Oakland.

McClain was the last of the late Al Davis' first-round draft picks, and before officially signing with the Ravens, McClain told the Madison (Ala.) Weekly News:

"It's a move that can't go wrong.''

Contributing: Mike Garafolo

***

Follow Garafolo and Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett and @MikeGarafolo

***

PHOTOS: Sports figures' mug shots