Growing up in Pasadena, Md., Ethan Burke was just like many youngsters in the Blue Crab State, rooting for the Ravens and playing lacrosse. He even used to dress up in a Ray Lewis jersey for Halloween.
"That was a jersey I wore a lot, and one of my favorite players for sure, so it's special," Burke said. "That was a Halloween costume multiple years in a row."
Now, Burke has his own Ravens jersey to wear on game days. By making Baltimore's 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie outside linebacker, Burke has accomplished something he'll never forget.
When he was summoned into General Manager Eric DeCosta's office over the weekend, Burke wasn't sure if he'd be receiving good news or saying goodbye. When DeCosta told Burke he was on the team, he knew a dream had become reality.
"You just don't know what to expect," Burke said. "You just hope for the best. Know that you've put in the work, and that whatever happens, happens."
Burke said calling his mother, Jill, and telling her he had made the team was a moment he won't forget.
"She was very excited," Burke said. "She knew a little more about the process than I thought."
Burke, who didn't start playing football until 10th grade, also knew plenty about the process, and reaching the NFL with the Ravens makes his improbable journey even more special.
His family has long ties with the state of Maryland. His father, Zack, was a star lacrosse player at St. Mary's High School in Annapolis and then at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. After his playing days ended, Zack was named head lacrosse coach for Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn.
However, the family moved to Texas in 2018 when Zack became head lacrosse coach at Westlake High in Austin, where Ethan excelled as a two-sport athlete in football and lacrosse. He was part of two high school state championship teams in Texas as a tight end, defensive end, and he decided to play football at the University of Texas
It wasn't easy for Burke to choose football over lacrosse, but it was the right decision.
"Probably my senior year," Burke said about when he made up his mind between the two sports. "It was late…but the opportunity arose and I just went for it and took it. I'm happy I did."
After finishing with 114 career tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in four seasons at Texas, Burke had a strong week at the East-West Shrine Bowl but wasn't invited to the NFL Combine in February. The next snub came in April when he didn't hear his name called during the NFL Draft.
But Burke wasn't deterred and proved doubters wrong after the Ravens signed him.
"It was something that was frustrating, but there are tons of guys who went undrafted and made really good careers out of it," Burke said. "It was not discouraging to me whatsoever, I just knew I had to work a little harder and come out here and make a name for myself."
Burke made the team on the strength of a superb training camp and preseason when he flashed on a daily basis. Over the final two preseason games, the former Texas standout had two forced fumbles, four tackles, two passes defensed, and a sack.
How much playing time Burke gets in the outside linebacker rotation that includes Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, Mike Green, and Zion Young remains to be seen. But at 6-foot-6, 257-pounds, Burke has size, coupled with athleticism and good instincts. He also played special teams during the preseason, which strengthened his value to the roster.
"When you look at particularly two phases of the game, I think he played really well on special teams, and he has been really consistent on defense with what he can bring to the table," Head Coach Jesse Minter said. "He's really physical, really rugged, but a really good rusher.
"He has had some really good days rushing the passer out here in training camp and also in the preseason games. I thought he has been dominant at times in special teams on the kickoff team in particular, so again, just a guy that kind of played his way onto the team."
Burke already has a great story to tell, but he won't settle for just making the team. His first practice after making the 53 was on Monday, and he approached it with the same intensity. He has earned his place in the NFL but has not taken it for granted.
"For me, I didn't want anything to change," Burke said. "I still have a chip on my shoulder and just continue to do my routine, work, stretch in the morning, work out just as hard, practice just as hard and be just as attentive in meetings. It's almost like nothing's changed, and I'll continue to fight to stay here."
