Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley retires after 15-year NFL career

Brandon Stokley caught 39 touchdown passes in his 15-year career. (Doug Kapustin/MCT via Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Brandon Stokley says he is retiring from football after playing 15 seasons in the NFL.

Stokley sat down with Mike Kils of the Denver Post and said it is time to move away from the game after suffering his share of injuries, including a concussion that put him on injured reserve this season after a Week 14 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

"I'm glad I played this year because now I know I'm done," Stokley said. "Had I not played this year, I would have always felt I could have kept playing. I still know I can play but my body just can't go through it anymore."

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Stokley, 37, finished his career with 397 career receptions. In 2004, he set career marks when he caught 68 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns playing for the Indianapolis Colts. 

The quarterback who threw those passes that season was Peyton Manning, who was Stokley's teammate in Indianapolis from 2003-06 and again with the Denver Broncos last season.

"I think Brandon is the best teammate I've ever had," Manning said. "He's a guy you want on your team in your corner. Fifteen years as a slot receiver in the NFL, going across the middle, taking hits, it's almost unheard of."