Past and current Ravens greats land on quarter-century NFL all-star team
With men, particularly alpha males, it all comes back to thoughts about legacy at some point. We've repeatedly seen Baltimore Ravens stars of the past and present discuss their mortality (and immortality).
Guys play and have played this great game that we love to support their families. They play for championships. Some have even played with hopes that their busts will be carved and placed in the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Still, there's nothing like respect. There is nothing like knowing one's peers and competition see them as equals.
ESPN released one of the more unique all-star teams that most fans and football pundits have seen as of late. This one is certainly worth a discussion.
A dozen Ravens deservingly land on ESPN's NFL All Quarter Century team.
The first 25 years of the millennium are in our rearview mirror. The worldwide leader in sports did us all a solid. Aaron Scahtz and Seth Walder crafted ESPN's NFL All Quarter Century team.
A dozen Ravens made the list, 11 former and one current. Some enjoyed longer tenures than others, but even though there isn't really a Baltimore comp for 'Once a Raider, always a Raider', everyone on this list still gets love from the home crowd.
Priest Holmes (1997-2000)
Priest Holmes will, more than likely, be remembered as a Kansas City Chiefs star, but his NFL journey began in Charm City. An undrafted free agent in 1997, he is clearly one of the best pro football players of all time to earn that distinction.
Derrick Henry (2024-present)
The lone current Raven on this list, Derrick Henry almost became the first two-time member of the 2k club in his debut season with The Flock. More is coming as he is already a Hall of Famer with more good football left in him.
Marshal Yanda (2007-19)
How good was Marshal Yanda? Each of his 13 NFL seasons was spent with The Flock. When he was done playing, he had notched two First-team All-Pro nods, five Second-team All-Pro mentions, and eight trips to the Pro Bowl roster. He's a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He's also a Super Bowl champion. Canton is calling his name one day.
Kyle Juszczyk (2013-16)
One of the greatest fullbacks of all time, Kyle Juszcyk traded Ravens purple for a trip out west to play in the NFL in 2017. Even though eight of his nine Pro Bowls were earned somewhere else, he spent four seasons with the good guys.
Willie Anderson (2008)
Willie Anderson only spent one year with the Ravens after spending his first dozen seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. That's okay, though. He found his way onto the right side during his final NFL season. Here's some love for the big guy.
Calais Campbell (2020-22)
One of the great guys in the NFL. It feels like Calais Campbell has been playing football since the early '90s. He's seen six NFL locker rooms since entering the NFL in 2008 and spent three years with The Flock not too long ago.
Ray Lewis (1996-2012)
Truth be told, this one is pretty obvious. If Ray Lewis isn't on this roster, it must be thrown out almost immediately. He spent every season of his career with Baltimore. He won two Super Bowls, earning MVP honors in his first appearance.
Ed Reed (2002-12)
Ed's resume is like Ray's. It's too extensive to list here in its entirety, but as stated with Mr. Lewis, if Reed isn't on this all-star team, the list loses credibility almost immediately.
Earl Thomas III (2019)
Yet another of the one-hit wonders. Earl Thomas will join the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Seattle Seahawks legend, but his lone season in Baltimore birthed good results: 49 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble during the regular season.
He then notched seven tackles and a sack during his lone playoff game. That's good enough to remember his time in Baltimore fondly.
Justin Tucker (2012-24)
Though it's unfortunate how things ended, Justin Tucker is indeed one of the great kickers in NFL history. He left Baltimore owning the NFL records for the longest goal (66 yards) and the highest career field goal percentage (89.1%)
Devin Hester (2016)
Devin Hester owns the NFL records for most career return touchdowns (20) and most career punt return touchdowns (14). He is tied for the most return touchdowns in a single season (6). If only Baltimore could have had him on the roster for a little longer than they did.
Morgan Cox (2010-20)
Morgan Cox didn't enjoy the thrill of playing one of football's sexier positions, but mull this one over. No one really thinks about the importance of a long snapper until their team has one who isn't effective.
He deserves his spot on this list. He's one of the great Ravens of the past quarter century.
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