The Ravens’ backs are against the wall as they sit at 6-7 and trail the Pittsburgh Steelers by one game in the AFC North. Baltimore bounced back from a 1-5 start this year, but now must rebound again after dropping back-to-back divisional home games.
The Ravens are heading to Cincinnati to face a Bengals team that beat them, 32-14, on Thanksgiving just two weeks ago after Baltimore had five turnovers.
“He puts things in perspective and shows us the way he did it and how those teams were able to do it,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “He was talking about how he didn’t win a Super Bowl until late in his career and how his perspective had changed with those tough losses that they had. We’re somewhat in the same boat. I know when they won, it wasn’t perfect either.”
Safety Alohi Gilman said he, of course, had seen all the Reed highlight tapes and mic’d up moments from his career. He said it was like having a “mythical figure” in the room.
“He’s a legend, a G.O.A.T. It was cool, man, just his wisdom, his words, him showing us a little bit of confidence and what it looks like. When he talks, we’re listening,” Gilman said.
“[He talked about] just sticking together, keeping the standard high – the standard is the standard – and being connected on and off the field. I think it was definitely helpful for all of us going into this stretch of games, especially this game.”
Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan said he remembers how much Tom Brady and Bill Belichick focused on Reed, who was a meticulous film junkie who also often hosted his teammates at his house for study sessions.
“It’s great motivation to go all-in with preparation and all-in every day and every moment to be ready on Sundays,” Buchanan said. “Football is the ultimate team sport and you have to rely on everyone. But at the end of the day, that starts with you as an individual and what you bring to the team. Once you take care of yourself, bring others along with you. That’s what football is all about.”