Ravens release Bernard Pollard
Jamison HensleyMar 13, 2013, 11:14 AM ETClose- Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Strong safetyBernard Pollard has been released by theBaltimore Ravens, the latest move driven by the Super Bowl champion's offseason salary-cap purge.
Pollard announced his departure Wednesday on Twitter, writing, "Well Ravens Nation. it's been fun. My time in Baltimore is done."
The 28-year-old Pollard signed a three-year extension with Baltimore last season, but his release saves the Ravens an estimated $1 million against the salary cap.
Pollard played two years with Baltimore. Last season, he had 71 tackles and an interception despite playing much of the year with six broken ribs.
Pollard was the leading tackler last season for the Super Bowl champions and was the team's physical presence in the secondary. He forced a key fumble in the AFC Championship Game in New England, when he delivered a vicious hit onNew England Patriots running backStevan Ridley.
Ravens fullbackVonta Leach reacted with surprise to Pollard's news in a tweet of his own Wednesday.
"Wow my boy @Crushboy31 is gone great teammate and father on and off the field," he wrote.
This offseason, the Ravens already have lost seven members from their Super Bowl team.
Baltimore has released Pollard and guardBobbie Williams, traded wide receiverAnquan Boldin to the 49ers, lost linebackersDannell Ellerbe andPaul Kruger in free agency and watched linebackerRay Lewis and centerMatt Birk retire.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.