Owings Mills, MD -- (Sports Network) - Former MVP quarterback Steve McNair announced his retirement from the NFL Thursday, making it official at an afternoon press conference.

McNair spent his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after playing his first 11 years with the Tennessee Titans franchise. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the league's co-MVP, sharing honors with Peyton Manning, in 2003.

"It's been a long road," McNair began. "Thirteen years from Houston to Memphis to Nashville, now to Baltimore. But I've been fortunate to surround myself with great people, great coaches, great teammates, great family. My career speaks for itself. I enjoyed it. I can look back on it, reflect back on it, and I wouldn't change a thing. I played the game with a lot of passion, I played the game with a lot of heart, and it showed over my 13 years."

The 35-year-old Alcorn State product struggled with injuries in 2007, playing in just six games. He threw for just 1,113 yards -- the fewest since his rookie campaign -- with two touchdowns and four interceptions last year.

"There are not very many guys that play our sport who get the opportunity to walk away on their own accord," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "(McNair) came in with even more resolve, that it's time for (him) to walk away, and I can appreciate that."

McNair was selected by the Houston Oilers with the third overall pick of the 1995 draft and became the face of the franchise when it moved to Tennessee for the 1997 campaign.

Known for battling -- and playing through -- injuries throughout his career, McNair played a full 16-game schedule just five times in his 13 seasons. He completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 31,304 yards with 174 touchdowns and 119 interceptions in 161 regular-season games.

McNair helped the Titans to four playoff appearances, highlighted by the club's run to the Super Bowl after the 1999 season. McNair nearly rallied his team in the closing minutes of Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams, as his pass to Kevin Dyson on the final play of the game fell one yard short of the end zone in a 23-16 loss.

After the 2005 season, McNair moved on to Baltimore and helped the Ravens to the AFC North title in his first year. During the 2006 campaign, McNair became only the third quarterback to throw for 30,000 yards and rush for 3,500, joining Hall of Famers Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young.

"I didn't do this by myself," McNair said. "This journey was with a lot of people. I've been fortunate to be a part of this organization, to finish my long legacy (in Baltimore). And I'd like to thank the fans in Tennessee, and also in Baltimore. It's been a great ride."

Prior to his NFL career, McNair starred at Division I-AA Alcorn State, and was the Walter Payton Award winner as that level's most outstanding player in 1994. McNair also finished third in the 1994 Heisman Trophy balloting.