Ryan Baker is a third year defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009 after playing four years of collegiate football at Purdue University. In his senior season he was named co-captain along with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Curtis Painter. He was the recipient of the 2004 Doc Blanchard award for excellence in community service, education, and athletic distinction.
Baker was a two-sport standout at Bishop Chartard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana as a football and basketball player. He led the football team to three consecutive class 3A State Championships in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 seasons. Baker was also a member of the 2003 class 3A State Championship basketball team, making Bishop Chartard only the second Indiana High School ever to win a state title in basketball and football the same year.
Baker was excited to have the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. “I’m actually from Indianapolis so it’s pretty cool seeing the Super Bowl here in Indiana, but I can’t really root for anybody.”
That said, Baker did have an interest in watching Mathias Kiwanuka play in the big game. “Mathias Kiwanuka and I growing up were actually rivals and went up against each other a couple times so I guess I have to cheer for him a little bit.”
Out side of football Baker spends time giving back and working with children. He started his own foundation called the Ryan Baker foundation to work with kids. “We do free camp for them and we just have a general aspect of helping children we actually just came from a Garth Brooks and Dwight Freeney event and they were doing the same thing so it’s a lot of fun.”
