Winning the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award:
Of all the accomplishments that Terrell Suggs achieved in his time as a Baltimore Raven, none where more impressive than his incredible 2011 season. It was in 2011 that Suggs took home the NFL’s most prestigious honor for defensive players, promptly named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It was no walk in the park, as 2011 saw some of the best defensive performances of the last 20-years.
Jared Allen (then with the Minnesota Vikings) came one sack short of setting the single-season sack record with 22.0. Jason Pierre-Paul (then with the New York Giants) also had a season for the ages, notching 86 tackles and 16.5 sacks. DeMarcus Ware (then with the Dallas Cowboys) came a half-sack shy of tying his single-season best with an incredible 19.5 sacks. Additionally, safety Charles Woodson (then with the Green bay Packers) had a league leading seven interceptions, including a pick-six, to go with 17 pass deflections and 2.0 sacks.
Despite all these incredible seasons, it was Terrell Suggs who walked away with the trophy for his excellence. Suggs finished tied for fifth in sacks at 14.0, but led the NFL with seven forced fumbles.
It wasn’t just numbers, however. T-Sizzle turned his A-game on when he played against some of the best teams in the league. In prime-time games, Suggs was the star of the show. When the Ravens needed a stop, Suggs was there. When Baltimore needed a spark to jump-start the team again, it was Suggs who answered the call.
Everything that Terrell Suggs did and accomplished in 2011 was truly amazing. To been seen as elite and to out-play his peers is remarkable, especially when you look back at the listed names and notice that three of them are future Hall of Famers. Suggs will be right behind them, and with the hardware to remind folks that he is in the same talent league as them.
Saying goodbye is never easy, but saying goodbye to Terrell Suggs is the hardest one I’ve had yet. The day Suggs retired was going to be a sad one, but to see him walk away from the organization is gut-wrenching. But the man that T-Sizzle was for the city of Baltimore and its fans speaks even louder than his play. Terrel Suggs epitomized what it meant to “Play like a Raven.” Suggs will return one day to sign back with, and retire as, a Baltimore Raven and I can’t wait for that day.
Until then, thank you Terrell Suggs for everything you’ve given us. Once a Raven, ALWAYS a Raven!