Ravens: 6 legends who made forgotten stops in Baltimore

2021 will be the 26th season in the history of the Baltimore Ravens. In that brief time, the franchise has made an indelible mark on NFL history.

Eight Pro Football Hall of Famers have been associated with the team in one way or another, and a ninth — Steve Smith —  could come as soon as next year. Two Hall of Famers — Ray Lewis, and Jonathan Ogden — spent their entire playing careers with the Ravens.

A surprising number of pro football legends have passed through the Ravens’ doors toward the end of their careers, some of whom are more famous for their time in other jerseys.

Two such players — Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe — were instrumental in the 2000 team’s Super Bowl win. While not all of the players on this list are guaranteed to be bound for Canton, all of them made a splash in the NFL before they came to Baltimore.

1. Deion Sanders, CB, Ravens (2004-05)

Deion Sanders surprised and confused the football world when he broke a three-year retirement to sign with the Baltimore Ravens just before the 2004 season.

He did so under the advice of Ray Lewis and defensive back Corey Fuller, who remain close personal friends of his.

His time with the Ravens sticks out like a sore thumb. For the previous 12 seasons of his NFL career, Prime Time wore the number 21.

With the Ravens, he wore 37, a number he chose himself as a reference to his age at the time of signing. No. 21 was out of reach anyway, as fellow defensive back Chris McAlister had worn that number since 2000.

Over his two seasons in Baltimore, Sanders recorded five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. The Ravens missed the playoffs in both seasons, and Sanders retired once and for all after 2005.

His brief stint in Baltimore served only to delay his own Hall of Fame induction, which finally took place in 2011.