Baltimore Ravens starting middle linebacker Ray Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowler, seven-time First-Team All-Pro, two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year and 2000 NFL MVP during his 17-year career, announced that he's going to retire after the postseason this year.

"I've ran my course. It's time for me to go create a different legacy," said Lewis to Baltimore beat writers on Wednesday.

Lewis is expected to play this weekend at M&T Bank for perhaps the last time, hosting the Indianapolis Colts for the Wild Card round of the 2012 NFL playoffs, saying that "wherever it ends, it ends. But I didn't come back to be eliminated in (the) first round."

One of the best defensive players of this generation, Lewis retires with 31 interceptions, 41.5 quarterback sacks and more tackles than NFL.com can count.

There is also speculation that Ed Reed could follow Lewis into retirement.