The Ravens always spend their Tuesdays in the community, and yesterday was no different. Players participated in a variety of fitness-filled activities.
Here's a look at the breakdown of Tuesday, Oct. 14:
9:00 a.m.:The students of Winston Middle and Booker T. Washington Middle kicked off the day with a fitness clinic led by Ravens safety Ed Reed and celebrity trainer Monte Sanders. The clinic was held at Booker T., a school that Reed has adopted and built a strong relationship with over the past six years.
Sanders got the 600 students up and moving, coaching them through agility drills and fitness activities. Reed was joined by teammates Haruki Nakamura, Derrick Mason, Anwar Phillips and Daniel Wilcox, who were willing to share their knowledge and skills with the students.
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9:30 a.m.:* While his teammates were at Booker T. Washington, Ravens tight end Todd Heap was celebrating fitness at Severna Park Middle School where he launched the *What Moves U program. Heap spoke to the 500 sixth-graders about the importance of being active at a young age. He encouraged them to try different sports and activities every day and demonstrated a fitness course that they could conduct in their own backyards. Ravens mascot Poe was on hand to assist Heap in the demonstrations, but found himself tangled up in the agility ladder. Ravens cheerleader Courtney was also on hand and came to the rescue.
The What Moves U program is a six-week fitness program implemented at four area middle schools. The 6th-grade students at Severna Park Middle, The Crossroads School, Northwest Middle, and Lime Kiln will log their fitness activity each day and active participants will be rewarded with fun prizes provided by the Ravens. Top performers from each school will be brought to M&T Bank Stadium for a tour and a V.I.P lunch in the locker room with Ravens players.
11:00 a.m.: As morning progressed, the sun was shinning, the breeze was blowing and the students from City Springs Elementary were having a great day. At West Shore Park, overlooking Baltimore's Inner Harbor, 100 3rd through 5th graders from City Springs participated in a football clinic. Fullback Le'Ron McClain and Wilcox coached the students through football fundamentals.
The students in attendance were chosen by their teachers and principal based on a positive behavior program. City Springs Principal Rhonda Richetta said she noticed a great improvement in the behavior of her students when they became aware that the football clinic would be a reward. After McClain and Wilcox tired them out, cornerback Evan Oglesby joined the students for lunch provided by the Baltimore Downtown Partnership.
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2:00 p.m.:* An hour after the City Springs football clinic ended, and just a hop, skip and a jump across the harbor, Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo hosted the last of the four *What Moves U assemblies at the Crossroads School. The school is operated by the Living Classrooms Foundation, and although the students learn through experience, service learning and fieldwork, they do not have the space or funds for a physical education curriculum.
The Ravens felt this was a perfect place to implement the fitness program because it would encourage the students to be active outside of the school day. Ayanbadejo and Sanders coached the 50 6th graders through fitness activities and encouraged the students to get their families involved in their quest to be active for 60 minutes every day.
5:00 p.m.: The busy day in the community ended with blood, sweat and tears. No injuries, just Band Aids. 98 Rock hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 2 - 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Baltimore City Fire Training Center. Ravens cornerback Frank Walker and kicker Steve Hauschka cheered on some generous donors at the drive. Walker and Hauschka signed autographs and chose winners from the 98 Rock raffle for Ravens tickets. Hauschka was eager to help the donors, and said he was looking forward to being able to donate in the offseason.
8:00 p.m.: When the sun set on an eventful day in the community, it was safe to say that all parties involved slept well – even the tired-out players – after the fitness-filled action.
