Before I get into the Ravens news and notes to kick off the week, I want to take a moment to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month and acknowledge the passing of a devoted father and member of the Flock this weekend.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾Damn bro check on the ones that’s always in great spirits #Prayingforyourlilones #MentalHealthAwareness https://t.co/UQLpDjoE8l
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 21, 2023
In recent years, an increasing number of athletes have opened up about their mental health, but it’s clear we still have a ways to go, both in challenging mental health stigmas and improving access to mental health care.
Always take the time to check up on those you care about, enjoy every moment you get with them, and make sure they know how much you love them.
Good morning #RavensFlock
You are never alone. Ever. There is always someone to reach out to. We are a strong community.
I don’t have all the answers in times like this but I’m definitely here as a friend, always.
Thinking of all of you. 💜
— Lacie Litz DeCosta (@DeCostaLacie) May 21, 2023
The Ravens had themselves a busy weekend before voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs), starting with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. Several members of the team showed up, headlined by Odell Beckham Jr., who had the honor of giving the traditional “Riders Up” call to kick off the main event.
RIDERS UP!!@obj already fitting right in here at the Preakness in Baltimore!
(via @NBCSports)
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 20, 2023
It is so cool to see OBJ embrace Baltimore as his new home so quickly, especially with his history of playing in higher-profile, flashier cities like New York and Los Angeles. But he’s learning Baltimore street dances, attending Preakness and showing love to Gervonta Davis to endear himself to his new fanbase. Ravens fans were already overjoyed to have Beckham join the squad, but he’s taking that excitement to a new level with his commitment to the city.
Joining Odell at Preakness were several of his teammates – Tyler Linderbaum, Brandon Stephens, Daniel Faalele, Charlie Kolar, Tyus Bowser and Marlon Humphrey, among others – as well as head coach John Harbaugh, who honestly looks like a different man since Lamar Jackson signed.
Odell pulling up to the Preakness with the Ravens is so 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NL4qXMEi5F
— 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙮 (@HoodieRamey) May 20, 2023
Instead of fielding questions about whether or not Lamar will be the team’s QB1, the longtime Ravens coach got to hang out with several of his players and show them some Baltimore history. He looks like an overjoyed chaperone on a field trip with his favorite students!
Ravens’ Justin Tucker and his wife is here to kickoff Preakness pic.twitter.com/KN784RtHQT
— Kevin Richardson MMA (@KRichardsonMMA) May 20, 2023
Justin Tucker was also at Preakness with his wife, though he didn’t sing any opera. Maybe he should sing the Star Spangled Banner or operatically call “Riders Up” to kick off the race next year. He could even join the headliner of the InfieldFest – that Bruno Mars-Justin Tucker duet would have been a massive hit, even in the rain!
The Ravens followed Preakness Saturday by hosting a girls flag football clinic at M&T Bank Stadium on a beautiful Sunday in Baltimore.
Today we hosted a girls flag football clinic at M&T Bank Stadium. 💜@RavensCommunity | @Dev_Duv5 | @marlon_humphrey | @tbowser23 pic.twitter.com/7NeVHLfNv2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 21, 2023
Like Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown have during real games in the past few years, Tyus Bowser put on his best Lamar Jackson impression playing flag football. I’m sure everyone in the Ravens locker room would love to be the $460 million man.
“I feel like @Lj_era8 out here” – @tbowser23 https://t.co/sNwqraCU7i pic.twitter.com/OQKvRilSfG
— Ravens Community (@RavensCommunity) May 21, 2023
Speaking of Lamar, he is expected to be at OTAs this week, and with OBJ already in town, the Ravens will have all of the pieces of their new-look offense ready to get to work at The Castle.
Lamar Jackson is expected to be at the Ravens OTAs this week, a source tells @BobbyTrosset and me.
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) May 20, 2023
They’ll be joined by a returning Josh Johnson, who adds a bit more QB depth and a veteran presence for training camp.
Free-agent QB Josh Johnson, who has played for an NFL record 14 teams, is returning to the Ravens for the third time in his NFL career, per source. Johnson was with the Ravens in 2016, 2021 and now will be back again in 2023.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 22, 2023
Johnson briefly played for the Ravens in 2022 after Jackson’s PCL injury before signing with the 49ers for the playoffs. This is his third stint in Baltimore, though I’d be surprised if he was more than a practice squad arm by the time the regular season rolls around.
