Ravens rookie Mike Green isn't a Marylander, but the Williamsburg, Va. native found out he's basically a local among this year's rookie class.
Director of Player Engagement Jameel McClain took the Ravens rookies on a field trip to Jimmy's Famous Seafood Monday afternoon to find out what it means to be a Marylander, among other lessons.
The rookies got a speech and Q&A with legendary Baltimore-born former NBA player Rudy Gay, information from NFLPA representatives, and a social media tutorial before digging in to learn how to pick crabs like a Marylander. They also learned the Baltimore two step dance.
Sitting among his teammates, some chowing down and others not so willing to test the waters, Green put on a show.
"This isn't my first rodeo," Green said. "I'm from Virginia, so my family is always eating crabs, hanging out with each other, just spending quality family time.
"Everyone says there's not a lot of meat inside of the blue crab, but if you know how to eat it, you'll understand there's definitely a lot of meat in there and it's beneficial in the end."
In previous years, McClain has met up with the rookies from the Washington Commanders and gone to the NFLPA office in Washington, D.C. to gain knowledge from their union leadership. This year, McClain, a native Philadelphian who has long made Baltimore his home since his playing days as a Ravens linebacker (2008-2013), wanted to do something different and a little more Baltimore-centric.
"This is an opportunity for the rookies to get acclimated to their new environment," McClain said. "This year, it was specifically about the best things about Baltimore and its history, its culture, its tradition. We had to really thrust them into it, and what better place than crabs at Jimmy's Seafood?"
Some rookies jumped right into the feast. In addition to Green, sixth-round cornerback Bilhal Kone was an eager learner who appreciated his first time eating crabs. Fourth-round linebacker Teddye Buchanan, a California native, had come to Jimmy's Seafood just a couple of days earlier and had the Band-Aid around his thumb to prove it.
"I got a chance to test my skills my second time today and felt like I did a lot better than the first time," Buchanan said. "It was a good chance for me to hone in on my skills. I like crab. I like all types of food; I'm open to eating. I learned quickly that everything out here has seafood in it. I'm definitely enjoying it."
Gay, who grew up just down the street from Jimmy's Seafood in Dundalk and played 17 seasons in the NBA, told the rookies about how longevity in professional sports is about making it a lifestyle. It's about having harmony off the court/field to be the best version of yourself on it. He also imparted the importance of setting yourself up for financial success after your playing days are over.
"You got to live your life accordingly to where you want to go at the end of the day," McClain said. "Rudy Gay just summarized player engagement for me in one word. It's a lifestyle. Live it. Love it. Learn it.
"We as an organization are very intentional with how we make sure everybody is acclimated to their environment because we want them to be successful. We want their family to be successful."
Overall, the event was also just another chance for the Ravens rookie class to bond, listening to music, belting out the lyrics, dancing, and having a good time. Even those who didn't enjoy the crabs as much got a lesson in what crab picking is all about – community.
"It's just a great time to be out here and soak in every experience, soak up all the knowledge that they came here and taught us," Green said. "I think it's very beneficial that the whole rookie class, and even a whole team, to go out and do activities together. It builds a lot of bonds."
