Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the close of this season. Lewis has spent 17 seasons with the Ravens, joining the team in their first season in Baltimore. In that time, Lewis has turned himself into arguably the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history. He has also been a rock for the organization from day one, and has seen players come and go throughout the years.

It should surprise nobody then that Ravens players are responding en masse to the impact Lewis has had on them, the Ravens and the city of Baltimore. Here are some of the early comments from Ravens players through their own Twitter feeds, via the @Ravens twitter account and Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson:

Torrey Smith on what it was like to play with him and moving forward over the next month:

Had to watch Big Ray announce his retirement...it has been amazing to play with him...We need to take care of business for him and our city

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) January 2, 2013

Bernard Pollard:

Bernard pollard 'ray lewis built this he's the face he's been there he's done that'

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) January 2, 2013

Bernard pollard 'for me to play with a guy like that its a blessing'

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) January 2, 2013

Haloti Ngata:

Haloti ngata 'its been an honor to play with ray lewis we'll definitely miss him'

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) January 2, 2013

Haloti ngata said for sunday he expects 'the normal ray lewis I'm happy for him'

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) January 2, 2013

Ray Rice:

Ray Rice: "Baltimore is Ray Lewis."

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013

Terrell Suggs:

Terrell Suggs on Ray Lewis: "It's amazing and it's sad all at the same time."

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013