The Baltimore Ravens are built with players who can contribute at a high level on the football field. However, the team also values character and players who care about their communities, and that has helped them build one of the best cultures in the NFL.
There are plenty of examples of Baltimore players giving back to their communities. Recently, defensive lineman Calais Campbell donated $30,000 to his high school alma mater to help them change their name from the Rebels to the Ravens. Campbell said he’d match whatever the school raised, which is where he $30,000 number came from.
Campbell told ESPN that this is a big deal for him, and it’s something that’s been on his mind for a long time.
“This is a big deal, just to be proud of where you went to school and what it represents…To me, high school represents some of my fondest memories and best times in my life. To have that stigma attached to it, it makes you a little less proud to represent it when it’s something you can’t believe in all the way. Making a change for me is a big deal. It gives you a lot more pride in your school.”
The mascot of Campbell’s high school was a confederate soldier until 2009, and is extremely happy to be part of the change for his alma mater.
“I understood what it was, and I didn’t like it then…But I didn’t have any power, or at least I didn’t realize the power to change it at the time. Now, fast forward all these years and it feels good to be part of the change.”
The name change to “Ravens” has nothing to do with Campbell’s current NFL team, although when asked about it, the veteran said that it’s “super cool”
“It has nothing to do with me at all…But I think it is super cool to be a Raven now in my life and then to be able to represent the Ravens back on my childhood team.”
Campbell has been an active participant in bettering communities, and was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2019. His presence in Baltimore has been great both on and off of the field, and his community impact is undeniable.