Ravens linebacker **Antwan Barnes** thinks he deserves an award for his acting chops.
The pass-rushing defender has been lobbying RaveTV for an Emmy after the Ravens' television production arm recently took home gold from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
RaveTV received an Emmy at the 51st annual NATAS Mid-Atlantic Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., for a piece they created based on Barnes' trip to his hometown of Miami.
Barnes may not get a statue – it was suggested he stick to terrorizing quarterbacks – but the distinguished group of RaveTV members added to their mantles.
Ravens vice president of broadcasting Larry Rosen notched his 14th Emmy, while director of broadcasting administration Don DiRaddo hoisted his 12th trophy, broadcasting manager Jay O'Brien earned a seventh and broadcasting coordinator Matt Brevet earned a fifth. Ravens production coordinator Eddie Coughlin received the first Emmy of his career.
"We are storytellers at heart," Rosen said on behalf of the RaveTV squad. "And, we're thrilled that the players and coaches allow us into their lives to tell those stories. It really helps us put together an excellent product when they give us that trust and access."
The Barnes piece won in the Outstanding Sports Program Feature and originally aired on "Ravens Report" during the 2008 season. It was actually one of two RaveTV segments nominated in that category, along with a Bart Scott feature when the former Raven had his jersey retired by his high school, Southeastern, in Detroit.
"We are constantly looking for ways to be creative and will always go the extra mile to make something special," Rosen said. "We've got some great material in this organization because the organization gives us that access."
For the Barnes shoot, RaveTV followed the linebacker to one of his alma maters, Myrtle Grove Elementary. Barnes visited classrooms and encouraged students to read. He even sang the school's fight song with the children.
"That was a fun one to do," O'Brien said. "Antwan really had a good time with it, and so did we."
The only way Barnes could actually receive an Emmy is if he actually hosted one of RaveTV's shows. Ravens director of player development **O.J. Brigance** earned an Emmy last year, one of the three they won at the 2008 ceremony, for his work hosting an episode of "Ravens Report."
"I said to Don that it would be cool to win an Emmy, and the fact that we actually did blows my mind," Brigance said at the time.
Barnes will probably collect more football hardware before he's holding his first Emmy, but all he has to do is drop by Brigance's office to see one.Â
