Justin Forsett was constantly fighting to prove himself in the NFL. Now that battle will finally end after Forsett demonstrated so much.
The former Ravens running back announced his retirement Wednesday morning on Twitter, ending a nine-year career in which he played with seven different teams.
"It's time," Forsett said in a post on SportsSpectrum.com. "I'm officially announcing my retirement from the game I love. It's been an amazing ride and I'm grateful for every moment."
Forsett's finest season came during his two-plus years in Baltimore. In 2014, he ran for 1,266 yards, scored eight touchdowns and led all NFL running backs with 5.4 yards per carry.
Along with his former coach and Ravens offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak, Forsett helped lead the Ravens to the AFC divisional playoffs, where Baltimore fell in New England. Forsett finished that season with a trip to the Pro Bowl.
"I know we had some great moments in our career, but that year together in Baltimore we had a lot of fun and we scared the heck out of them, didn't we?" Kubiak said. "We almost got it done."
Forsett's production dipped somewhat in 2015, and he broke his arm midway through the season. Forsett returned to the Ravens in 2016, but was released after three games. He bounced to the Detroit Lions (two games) and finished the season, and his career, with the Denver Broncos (four games).
Forsett ends his career with 3,890 rushing yards, a healthy 4.7 yards per carry average, 19 rushing touchdowns, 210 receptions for 1,351 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Those are some very good numbers for a 5-foot-8 seventh-round pick (2008).
"Against all odds, critics, and naysayers, I accomplished something great," Forsett said. "Scouts measured my height and said I was too short. They measured my 40-yard dash and said I was too slow. They looked at my build and said I wouldn't last. But they couldn't measure my heart, my faith, and my perseverance."
Forsett's career will be defined by much more than his stats.
The devout Christian and man of integrity spent much of his time spreading advice and encouragement to his teammates and anyone he worked with. He was extremely active in volunteering to help those in need, and the Baltimore community embraced him in turn.
"Thank you for having such an impact on me," Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro said. "Beyond football, you taught me how to be more God-fearing. You were my mentor and taught me about life after football."
Forsett said he was thankful for all the people that football brought into his life, and some of them taped messages upon his retirement:* *
Oakland Raiders RB Marshawn Lynch: "Congratulations on a great career, man."* *
Former NFL RB Arian Foster: "There's a lot of love from my house to yours. I wish you well in your next endeavor. I know you're going to kill it, man."* *
Brooklyn Nets NBA star Jeremy Lin: "When I think of you, it's someone who always worked hard and talked a lot of trash about how many pull-ups you could do. I know that you were someone who really played and live for God and you will continue to so. So congrats for everything and good luck in the next chapter."* *
Hip-hop artist LeCrae: "You'll learn he's a passionate, committed man, and I believe he'll continue to change the world through his influence, through his faith in God and through his wisdom that he applies both on and off the field."
Forsett will continue to work in the community and with his private business, Shower Pill. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also believes he could follow good friend Steve Smith Sr. into the media business.
