Marshal Yanda Retires After 13 Seasons

Former Hawkeye Marshal Yanda announced his retirement on Tuesday after a stellar 13 year career, all with the Baltimore Ravens. Yanda, who mostly played guard in the NFL, was selected to eight Pro Bowls, including last season. In addition, he was twice named First Team All-Pro. The Ravens will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 10:00 am CST.

Yanda, from Cedar Rapids (Anamosa, IA HS), was a 3rd round selection by the Ravens in the 2007 NFL Draft (86th player chosen overall). Interestingly, Yanda was the second guard chosen by the Ravens that year. Unfortunately for first rounder Ben Grubbs, he won’t be remembered in the same light as Yanda. Obviously a lot of teams screwed up missing out on big #73. Yanda came to Iowa after two years at NIACC and ended up as a second team All-Big Ten player by his senior year. Another example of a lower-rated recruit being taught up (and sized up) while at Iowa.

Injuries were a story in his professional career. Yanda missed some games due to some serious injuries (broken ankle, torn ACL, emergency leg surgery) but also played through some serious injuries (switched to left guard during the 2016 season to accommodate a bum shoulder) that would have slowed a lesser man. Yanda is definitely going out on his own terms. His performance in 2019 included giving up just one sack and picking up just one penalty in 968 snaps played.

Just in case you haven’t heard the story about Yanda being tasered as a rookie, watch this tweet from the Baltimore Ravens.

After the recent Hall of Fame selections for Alex Karras and Duke Slater, Yanda should soon become the sixth former Iowa player elected to the Hall. Congrats Marshal Yanda on an incredible career and for representing Iowa in the best possible way.