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As his teammates celebrated Monday night's 10-9 win in the Ravens' postgame locker room, Ravens tight end **Ed Dickson** sat at his locker by himself with a cell phone pressed to his ear and smile stretched across his face.
It was a sweet moment for his teammates, but even sweeter for Dickson.
As the Ravens battled the Jets, Dickson became a first-time father.
"I wouldn't have it any other way – my first game, Monday night, versus the Jets, on the road," Dickson said. "It's unbelievable."
At 4 a.m. Monday, Dickson learned that his fiancée, Ashley Schwartz, was having labor pains. Their son wasn't due until Sept. 16, so Dickson was hoping the pains would pass, as he was already with the team in New Jersey.
But at 8 a.m., Dickson received word that Schwartz's labor was advancing. He immediately informed Head Coach **John Harbaugh** and Tight Ends Coach **Wade Harman** and they told him it was his choice of whether to stay or leave.
"I was stuck between a rock and a hard place," Dickson said. "I was heavily involved in the game plan, and you saw I was out there a lot. So, I had to stick it out. Unfortunately, he came before I could get there, but I was happy to help get the victory."
Dickson was getting updates on the baby's arrival from Director of Player Development Harry Swayne during the game. His fiancée, who was at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, started to deliver right before the 7:25 p.m. kickoff.
Dickson didn't record a reception in his first game, but he did record a key block on Willis McGahee's touchdown plunge. Harbaugh gave him one of two game balls. The other went to General Manger **Ozzie Newsome**, who played an important role defining what it means to "Play Like A Raven," a phrase the Jets have adopted with their own nickname.
As for Dickson's honor, he said he would frame his game ball and probably put his son's name on it. When Dickson was given the ball, he hadn't yet entirely settled on a name. But after seeing his son's face early Tuesday morning, the couple agreed to name the eight pound, three ounce baby Trey Michael James Dickson.
83 is Dickson's jersey number.
"He would come on my first game," Dickson said. "It's a good sign."
