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Best Comeback: Steve Smith Sr. or Dennis Pitta?

By Chris Schisler

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a first-down reception under pressure from Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a first-down reception under pressure from Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ravens Debates: Steve Smith Sr. and Dennis Pitta have come back from devastating injuries. Which player’s comeback is more impressive?

When Steve Smith Sr. went down against the Chargers, everyone wondered if he would ever play football again. That was a devastating ACL tear and it happened last November. This past Sunday Smith made an amazing 52 yard touchdown happen. That play late in the game was all about heart.

As Joe Flacco pointed out on Twitter, Steve Smith is Superman. When you consider that he is 37 years old and he suffered an injury which is hard to come back from, and then you look at what he is doing, what could be more inspiring than that? Smith Sr. became 14th on the all time receptions list.  He was great with the Panthers and now he is continuing that greatness in Baltimore.

When Smith Sr. went down, he refused to stay down. The same goes for Dennis Pitta, but when Pitta got back up, he got hurt again.

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) catches a pass over the defense of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Chris Kirksey (58) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Dennis Pitta also had an incredible comeback to the game of football. Pitta had back to back hip injuries keep him out for two seasons. Pitta went from being an integral part of a Super Bowl winning team to wondering if his career was over. The first hip injury was heartbreaking but the second one was completely devastating. The fact that he is playing again is just as improbable as Smith Sr.’s comeback.

The two strong willed Ravens are leading the team in receptions. Smith Sr. has 24 receptions for 281 yards and a touchdown. Pitta has grabbed 21 passes for 200 yards. The Ravens offense has struggled this season. Just imagine how much harder things would be without these two players who never gave up on their careers. The season would also be much less fun without two of Baltimore’s favorite players.

It seems that the Ravens patience with Pitta has paid off. When we didn’t know what his future held, cutting Pitta was a real option for the Ravens. Ozzie Newsome and company must have believed that this story would have a happy ending. When Pitta broke his finger in an altercation in practice, it was beyond frustrating. After all the patience the Ravens had given their tight end, they had to wait even longer for him.

Next: 3 Things Baltimore Ravens Fans Are Insanely Tired Of

The Ravens have always been known as a tough football team. Ray Lewis and dominant defense was the Ravens calling card for years. In 2016 we may have just found the two most resilient Ravens of all time. What Smith Sr. and Pitta are doing is incredible. Whose comeback was more impressive? For me it’s a tie.

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