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SPORTS Thursday 12 March 2020
Ravens G Marshal Yanda retires after 13 years on his own terms

By DAVID GINSBURG 13-year career with the
AP Sports Writer Baltimore Ravens, who
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) showed their appreciation
— Much thinner and chat- for the eight-time Pro Bowl
tier than during his play- guard by sending him off
ing days, Marshal Yanda with a framed No. 73 jer-
retired from the NFL on sey and heartfelt thanks
Wednesday with the sat- during a classy news con-
isfaction of knowing he ference. The ceremony
walked away before being began with a video tribute
kicked out the door. and was highlighted by a
Yanda played his entire lengthy prepared speech

In this Aug. 1, 2016, file photo, Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, right, talks with quarterback
Joe Flacco during practice at the NFL football teams training camp in Baltimore.
Associated Press
from the guest of honor, a playing time to two games, before coming to Baltimore
man known for keeping his he began to think about as a third-round draft pick
sentences short and for his what life might be after in 2007. He helped the Ra-
aversion to talking to the football. vens win a Super Bowl in
In this May 4, 2002, file photo, jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates media. “It was in my mind the last 2012, has been assured a
after riding War Emblem to victory in the 128th Kentucky Derby “I played this game be- two years. And then (last) place in the team’s Ring
horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. cause I loved the game,” year, I felt that if I made it of Honor, and will prob-
Associated Press Yanda said. “I love com- through healthy again, that ably end up joining Ogden
War Emblem, 2002 peting, I loved the team- no matter what happened and Newsome in the Hall of
Fame.
mates and the struggle that this was probably go-
Kentucky Derby and and the grind. I loved that ing to be it,” Yanda said. “He was tough, com-
every single day. That’s He stuck with the plan even petitive, smart and had
Preakness winner, dies why I played.” though Baltimore went 14-2 a unique respect for the
game as well as his team-
So why walk away now, in 2019 and has the poten-
only a couple months re- tial to go the distance next mates,” Newsome said.
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — seven wins in 13 career moved from a season in season. “I know sometime in the
War Emblem, the 2002 Ken- starts and earnings of which he was completely “I never had as much fun future, as I’ve been told,
tucky Derby and Preakness $3,491,000. healthy, played in the Pro as I had last year,” Yanda you’ll be getting your mail
winner, died Wednesday War Emblem was sold for Bowl and was voted sec- said. “To be a part of that in Canton.”
at age 21. $17 million to Shadai Stal- ond-team All-Pro? team was special, but be- Harbaugh said of Yanda:
He had been at Old Friends lion Farm in Japan. He “I’ve watched guys as ing able to walk away from “He embraced every bit of
Thoroughbred Retirement proved a difficult but tal- they got older lose a little the game on my terms is so his career, made the most
Center since 2015 after ented stallion, having sired bit more each year, and meaningful. I’m glad I can of it and is, in my opinion, a
returning from Japan. Of- fewer than 200 foals in his then by the end they were do it my way.” first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
ficials said the cause of career. almost like a liability. In the Yanda took some time to When everyone was done
death was believed to be a But many of them were back of mind I said I never make sure that was the talking, Yanda exchanged
paddock accident, but ex- talented runners, includ- wanted to be like that,” route he wanted to take, greetings with several of his
act details weren't known. ing Robe Tissage, Japan's said Yanda, 35, who was but there would be no former teammates, includ-
A necropsy was pending. champion 2-year-old filly. surrounded on the stage change of heart. Almost im- ing Joe Flacco, Justin Tuck-
War Emblem was sold to After retiring from stud duty, by executive vice president mediately after Baltimore’s er, Nick Boyle and Chris
Prince Ahmed bin Salman's War Emblem was donated Ozzie Newsome, general season ended with a loss Chester.
Thoroughbred Corp. and to Old Friends. manager Eric DeCosta and to Tennessee in the play- And now, DeCosta must fill
transferred to trainer Bob "I know we're supposed coach John Harbaugh. offs, he started a diet and a huge hole on the offen-
Baffert after the colt won to appreciate all of our “I wanted to be up here upped his cardio training. sive line with absolutely no
the Illinois Derby. Three retirees the same, but he with these guys wanting me The result was a 45-pound hope of finding a replace-
weeks later, he won the was one of the very spe- back, rather than being at weight loss that left Yanda ment who will immediately
Kentucky Derby and then cial ones," Old Friends the other end of it saying, at 265 and looking more be just as good.
the Preakness to set up a founder and president Mi- ‘We’re happy you’re retir- like a linebacker than a “You can’t replace a guy
Triple Crown bid. chael Blowen said. "He was ing,’” Yanda said. “I want- burly offensive lineman. like Marshal. As great a
However, he stumbled tough, narcissistic, bold, ed to end playing well.” “I feel so much better al- player as he is, he’s a bet-
badly at the start of the Bel- and handsome. Yanda played in 177 ready, just going up and ter person and a leader,”
mont and ended up losing I proudly count among a games, tied with Jonathan down the stairs,” he said. DeCosta said. “You hope
to 70-1 shot Sarava, who very meager number of Ogden for most in fran- After growing up on a farm you hit on someone who at
also lives at Old Friends. accomplishments the day chise history among offen- in Iowa, Yanda played two some point can become
War Emblem won the he allowed me to put his sive linemen. After a 2017 seasons of junior college that guy, but that’s like a
Haskell Invitational later halter on without biting me. season in which ankle and football and two seasons once-in-every-10 year type
that year. He retired with He trusted me."q shoulder injuries limited his at the University of Iowa of thing.”q