Terrell Suggs: A Legend By No Accident

"

I would love to be considered on the Mount Rushmore of Ravens.

Just knowing I gave everything I have to this organization, to this city, to my fans, and that I was one of their own.

– terrell suggs

"

By Claire Kramer

Pro Bowler. Father. Filmmaker. Jokester. Super Bowl Champion. Future Hall of Famer. Legend.

People call Terrell Suggs by many names, but only two words compose what he strives to be: The best.

From a 20-year-old draft phenom to a linebacker learning Ravens defense from the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, to taking the torch and continuing his reign as King of Sacks, Dominant Defender and Jokester Supreme, Suggs’ booming presence has shaken the ground like thunder.

The proud representative of Ball So Hard University is predictably unpredictable. Fifteen and a half years removed from his draft day, he’s still got his youthful vigor.

It began in 2003 with proving himself: going hard on every snap to watch his numbers rise.

It paid off, netting him 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Honors. Then, the next step: a championship, to make everyone else around him better for the sake of the Lombardi Trophy. And finally, a legacy: leading players – rookies and veterans alike – to greatness, not for his personal gain, although a welcome side effect, but for the sake of The Team.

Because beyond the sacks and tackles and QB hits, Suggs has emerged as a fearless leader, confident to no end in his teammates and himself.

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0 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 games played, 0 games started “I walk by the creed of, ‘Walk softly, carry a big stick.’

Ray [Lewis] will do all of the talking. I’m just going to have to be a soldier in this army and do my part. … The rookie motto is ‘Be seen and not heard.’”

– TERRELL SUGGS AT THE START OF HIS CAREER

191 tackles, 31 sacks, 48 GP, 33 GS "I want the world to remember that I was here. That is very important to me. We will never forget ‘L.T.’ [Lawrence Taylor], Derrick Thomas or Reggie White. They will always be a part of the NFL and its history. I don't just want to be an average football player in this league. I want to be dominant.

I don't want to be a ghost when I am done with the game or when the game is done with me. I guess my desire for my name to live through the ages is what really drives me."

– TERRELL SUGGS

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2OO6 605 tackles, 72.5 sacks, 129 GP, 113 GS

682 tackles, 84.5 sacks, 149 GP, 133 GS

“When I was younger, the only things that mattered were individual awards, individual gratification. With Pro Bowls and sacks, I did pretty well. But those days have come and gone. Now, the No. 1 objective, the only thing left to do, is win a championship. I want it so bad, it’s scary. For years we’ve been on the brink. I’m tired of being on my couch watching other guys play in the biggest game in the world. I don’t want to be known as a player who almost got it done.”

"It finally hit me, what exactly we accomplished together.

It didn't take a year. It took me 11 years to get it. It took Coach [John] Harbaugh [from] when he got here in 2008.

It finally paid off, all that blood given. There's not a word that describes what I'm feeling and all the emotions. …

The journey was long, but it was worth it. But I will tell you this, I damn sure want to feel like this again.”

– TERRELL SUGGS

– TERRELL SUGGS

IN THE MIDST OF HIS NFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR CAMPAIGN

UPON RECEIVING HIS SUPER BOWL XLVII RING

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2O12 881 tackles, 119 sacks, 197 GP, 181 GS

927 tackles, 131 sacks, 221 GP, 205 GS

“We are not playing good football right now. I don’t really have any answers for you. Yeah, defensively we are not playing really good football. … For me, being the veteran on the defense, I take more of the blame for that than anything because I know how we are supposed to play. I know how it is supposed to look. Like I said, I am just extremely frustrated and disappointed. But we can’t concede, because we are not out yet.”

“‘Sizz’ is good with all of them in [our defensive] room.

He is fantastic, and he can break down each guys’ game and say, ‘Here’s what I need to see from you.’

It really sounds like a coach, but obviously, it means a lot more when ‘Sizz’ is saying it to them – a guy who has been Defensive Player of the Year and all his accolades, Pro Bowls and everything else.”

– TERRELL SUGGS

– DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DON MARTINDALE

MIDWAY THROUGH HIS 15TH SEASON

ON SUGGS AS A MENTOR

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