Smith was offered a mega five-year, reported $40 million deal by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 offseason and, with a heavy heart, uprooted his family from the Baltimore area. Smith spent two seasons with the 49ers, including a difficult 2016 campaign in which he caught 20 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He was released the following March.

Smith jumped to Philadelphia, where he won his second Super Bowl as a starting wide receiver for the Eagles. However, he was traded to Carolina that offseason. After he caught a career-low 17 passes for 190 yards and two scores last year, the Panthers released him on Sept. 1, at the end of training camp.

Since then, Smith has been debating his NFL future. For a person like himself, many other doors will open to make an impact outside the white lines.

Smith was beloved for much more than his on-field contributions. He was a huge presence in the Baltimore community and connected with countless more fans via social media. Smith was a highly-respected figure in the locker room, and his laugh often filled it.

"My worth as a football player was never only about numbers," Smith said. "And if I was able to impact just one player, one kid, one person, I served my purpose."

Smith said he plans to continue to use his platform to change the world for the better. And he plans to do it back home.

"Can't wait to begin the next phase of my life, where my heart is and never left – Baltimore," Smith said.

Smith is just the latest former Raven to return to Baltimore after his playing days were over. This summer, fullback Vonta Leach and running back Willis McGahee, who both had lengthy stays with other NFL teams, both returned to retire as Ravens. Harbaugh said seeing that from former players means a lot to him.