The Baltimore Ravens held their third annual Ravens TEAM Challenge at M&T bank Stadium on Monday. This event was a part of the 2014 NFL & United Way Hometown Huddle program. Selected students form Liberty Elementary School participated in challenges such as kickball, relay races and ultimate football under the guidance of Playworks Baltimore.
Each student also received a new pair of sneakers which were provided by Under Armour. There were approximately 120 kids at the event. The Hometown Huddle is an NFL initiative that includes a day of hands on activity that is celebrated by all 32 NFL teams across the country. The Ravens TEAM Challenge focuses on three values: fitness, sportsmanship and academics.
Liberty principal Joseph Menko took off his suit jacket and played ultimate football with his students. He had a great time. “This is an amazing day. It’s so great and wonderful seeing all of the players out here and the support from the Ravens. This is a day that they’ll never forget. It’s super important for our kids. It teaches them the importance of play, learning from play…team work, responsibilities, sportsmanship and all of that stuff. These are critical life skills that are really important for our kids.” Menko said.
There Ravens players at the event including: WR Marlon Brown, WR Steve Smith Sr., TE Crockett Gilmore, QB Tyrod Taylor, DT Brandon Williams, OLB Elvis Dumervil, S Matt Elam, S Anthony Levine and CB Lardarius Webb. Ravens cheerleaders and the mascot Poe were also at the event. The event included volunteers from the Lady Ravens Association, M&T Bank, Under Armour and the United Way. The Ravens community relations team spearheaded by Community Relations Manager Emily Scerba facilitated the activities.
The event was a lot of fun for the players. They were willing to give their time to the community the day after their game. The players did more than just watch the kids. They literally played with the kids that were there.
The importance of giving back to the community wasn’t lost on safety Matt Elam. “I feel like it’s first priority, giving back and having fun with the kids. I didn’t have this opportunity when I was growing up. That’s why I take pride in this.” Elam continued, “I take advantage of this opportunity to give the kids something that I didn’t have. This is important because it keeps kids active and makes them want to do things. It gives their mind off of the hard school work. It’s very important to have the kids have fun.”
Crockett Gilmore felt that it was just as important to play with the kids and plans on making a habit of doing these events. His team actually won the Team Challenge. “I enjoy being around kids. It’s more of a pleasure for me to get out and have fun with these kids. They actually don’t know what it means to me. Every chance I get, I am going to come out and do things like this with them. It’s not asking too much, it’s not really asking anything. It’s nothing for me to come out and spend a few hours with these kids. I hope they look forward to this next year because I plan on coming back and doing this again.” Gilmore said.
The kids always draw inspiration from getting to interact with their heroes. Elvis Dumervil actually drew inspiration from the kids. “It is great being out here with the kids and trying to give back. My knees and ankle hurts a little bit from the game yesterday but it is cool having all of this energy from the kids and having them uplifts you to fight through it.” Dumervil said, “I wish I had the opportunity to do this when I was a kid. It’s a great experience and to be a part of this is good.”
Then there is Steve Smith Sr. who seemed to have more fun than the kids. His passion was evident as he took full part in ultimate football and kickball. He was just as energetic as the kids were. He spoke about the opportunity to play with them. “It’s always great when you get to be out here and do this, having fun with them. We get to sweat and laugh and just play with them, it’s fantastic! This is an extra workout for me! It’s a little nippy out here so I have sweat clothes on, get a little extra workout in, try to multitask but it’s fun. You get to be a kid. I don’t care what you do for a living. It’s always fun to be a kid. They bring things out of you that sometimes you can’t really do by just being an adult.”
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