Whenever football supporters think of Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, they are likely to recall a number of things, the first of which should be his military experience. Villanueva’s second career began after his tenure as an Army Ranger, as an offensive tackle. Moreover, the athlete’s career wasn’t as pleasant as one can think of.

Ravens’ OT Alejandro Villanueva has declared his retirement. This isn’t much of a surprise. The athlete’s path has not always been easy, and after a seven-year career, he has withdrawn from the sport.

The offensive tackle also served in the Pittsburgh Steelers and ended his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens after a not-so-amusing run.

A good goodbye from Alejandro Villanueva

Villanueva, 33, was a two-time Pro Bowler for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a left tackle. Just three days after the draft, Baltimore Ravens signed Villanueva to a two-year, $14 million contract (with $8 million guaranteed). The franchise brought him to replace Orlando Brown Jr., who was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to Blitzburgh, the Baltimore Ravens OT makes his retirement statement at ‘93.7 The Fan The Cook & Joe Show’, as he said, “I’m not going to miss football at all. The world of football and the NFL always seemed a little bit circus-like to me.”

Alejandro Villanueva has a long and illustrious military career, previously serving as a U.S. Army Ranger for two tours in Afghanistan. The Steelers signed him as a defensive tackle. Although, he was always a tight end potential in college.

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Before joining the NFL, he served in two divisions: the 10th Mountain and the 75th Ranger Regiment. He received a Bronze Star Medal for rescuing wounded soldiers while under enemy fire while serving as a rifle platoon leader.

What’s next for the Baltimore Ravens?

The Ravens’ cornerback issue is now a primary consideration. Outside of Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, Baltimore’s other cornerbacks have combined for 10 career starts: Iman Marshall, Kevon Seymour, Robert Jackson, and Kevin Toliver.

Injuries hampered the Ravens’ cornerback corps in 2021, Villanueva never decided to give up. The offensive line will be the highest concern for the Baltimore Ravens during the offseason. This also highlights the need for a younger presence on the outside to complement Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. They could reinforce the back end by acquiring a playmaking safety in free agency and drafting a young corner early in the selection.

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