Eric Weddle can have his lavish ice cream sundaes more often than just Sundays now.
One of the Ravens' most beloved players in recent memory announced his retirement Thursday via Twitter, including the hashtag #BEARDOUT.
Weddle played 13 NFL seasons including three in Baltimore from 2016 to 2018. He went to the Pro Bowl in each of those three seasons and six times overall.
The longtime San Diego Charger joined the Ravens as a free agent and brought an incredible amount of energy and leadership to Baltimore's defense. He rallied young players to follow his lead in the classroom, weight room and on the field. His love of the game was infectious.
With a laugh as big as his personality, he was instantly a favorite among his teammates, coaches and fans. His long beard was a constant source of entertainment and his postgame ice cream celebrations went viral.
On the field, Weddle was a mastermind of the Xs and Os, reading quarterbacks and disguising coverages on the backend of Baltimore's defense.
Even in the later years of his career, he was still a playmaker. In 2017, Weddle was tied for third in the NFL with six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He finished his career with 29 regular-season interceptions.
Though he played nine seasons in San Diego, Weddle felt like he was destined to be a Raven. He embodied so much of what the team stands for.
"He is just the consummate football player, the consummate leader," Head Coach John Harbaugh said of Weddle last offseason. "He will go down in history like that. I think he should be in the Hall of Fame."
The day after the Ravens' 2018 season ended, Weddle said he would either finish his career with one more year in Baltimore or retire. But Weddle's outlook changed and when he was released by the Ravens, he quickly signed with the Los Angeles Rams, where he could play back home in California.
Weddle started all 16 games with the Rams last season and made 108 tackles. After his rookie season in 2007, he started every game he played in and missed just six games.
He had surgery to repair his meniscus after the season and was happy to make a recovery just in time for golf season. Now he can play a lot more of it.
Weddle's former teammates and players from around the league (Weddle seemed to know everybody) immediately shared their outpouring of support and thanks upon hearing the news.
