When Anthony Levine Sr. is on a football field, he is rarely difficult to locate.
His voice can be heard. His passion can be felt.
Levine had an undeniable presence as a player, and that has continued during his coaching career. It felt right to new Head Coach Jesse Minter when he recently promoted Levine from assistant special teams coach to special teams coordinator.
Minter knows what Levine stands for. He's all about the Ravens, and he's all in on special teams.
"Anthony was a player when I was here the first time [in 2017-2020], but I just picture him as the face of Baltimore special teams," Minter said. "He was that as a player; he was the captain of our special teams, at a very high level under multiple coaches here.
"He's now been into the coaching ranks for four years. He's earned this position. This isn't like he was just handed this position; he's earned the right to be in this position, and he'll be a great leader for our special teams."
Levine has never been afraid to compete. He was undrafted in 2010 as a defensive back out of Tennessee State. He earned a place on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, but his career didn't blossom until 2012 when he signed with the Ravens.
Former Head Coach John Harbaugh and former Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg saw things in Levine that others didn't. He was hungry and determined to prove he belonged. He began to excel on special teams and earned the nickname "Co-Cap" for being the leader of that unit. His Ravens career spanned a decade before he retired in 2021.
He was respected by his teammates and schooled rookies and young players about what it meant to "Play Like a Raven." Levine absorbed the advice he received from veteran players like Jameel McClain and members of the organization, such as Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome and O.J. Brigance (Senior Advisor to Player Engagement).
Levine doesn't simply talk about what it means to be a Raven. He walks it, and he is honored to take over for former Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton, who has joined Harbaugh with the Giants.
"When I came here in 2012, I couldn't even imagine me even being able to sit in this position," Levine said. "I'm just so thankful and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
Levine has built strong relationships with many players who will return next season, and new Ravens will get to know him quickly. He's a hands-on coach who often demonstrates to players exactly what he wants during practice.
Second-year defensive back Keondre Jackson was an undrafted rookie last year who made the Ravens' practice squad before being elevated to the 53-man roster. Jackson is one of Levine's proteges, and he flew back to Baltimore on Wednesday to hear the coordinators' introductory press conference.
"That speaks volumes to the type of players that we have and the type of connection that I have with these guys," Levine said. "They understand the standard; they understand the culture. My leadership style, the way I interact with them, the way I challenge them, the way we hold each other accountable.
"These guys, they respect me. We don't talk a lot about how much I did when I played, because it's not about what I did when I played. It's more about them, and it's more about me being able to teach them to go out there and be productive and have a great career."
When Levine raises his voice, he's only doing so to raise a player's game. Every practice, every game, Levine never gave less than his best. He approaches coaching with the same mentality, and plans to continue the standard of making sure Baltimore's special teams unit ranks among the NFL's elite.
"That's what we do here. It's a culture here," Levine said. "We're here to win games, and we are here to win championships. That's what we strive to do, and that's what we're going to do."
