When Jon Dubé began his NFL career fresh out of high school, he never dreamed it would last 41 years.
Dubé retired as Senior Video Operations Advisor effective June 1, leaving behind a list of impressive accomplishments. He led the Ravens' football video operations from the inception of the franchise in 1996, joining the organization in its move to Baltimore after spending 13 years (1983-95) with the Browns. He retires as the Ravens' most seasoned NFL staffer.
"It's been a great ride working with some remarkable people," Dubé said. "My emotions are mixed, but the journey has been incredible."
Known as an innovator in the sports video industry, Dubé was responsible for implementing the NFL's cutting-edge gameday technology, in accordance with video rules and regulations. He headed a team responsible for providing Baltimore's coaching and scouting staffs with game and practice footage, as well as opponent and college footage from the NFL's Club Game Exchange Network.
In 2004, he was at the forefront of transitioning the team to digital video, which provided coaches easier access to video data. Through this computer software, coaches have since been able to create their own cutups of practices and games, making the process more streamlined.
Dubé served as a member of the NFL Video Directors Committee for 13 years (2011-23) and was named the 2017 Collegiate Sports Video Association's NFL Hall of Fame Award winner. He was the first active video director to receive the prestigious award.
"After 41 years working in both Cleveland and as our video director in Baltimore, Jon Dubé is retiring," General Manager Eric DeCosta stated. "'Dube' is one of the most loyal, dedicated and effective leaders the Ravens have known. I have enjoyed his friendship and appreciated his ability to craft one of the NFL's very best video departments every year. Congratulations to Jon and [his wife] Diane. We are very excited for their new adventures ahead."
Dubé's passion for video began when he started working for the Browns out of high school. The more he learned, the better he got, but the Ohio native almost didn't make the move from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1996.
"There was no guarantee that I'd be offered a job when the franchise moved," Dubé said. "My boss in Cleveland waited until the very last minute to say he wasn't going to Baltimore. After that happened, I was invited to come. I even had another job lined up if I wasn't coming to Baltimore.
"The first couple of years in Baltimore were crazy, working for a new franchise. But it created quite a bond within the organization, everybody working together to help each other build something special."
Dubé's typical work week was a whirlwind, especially during the season. After filming a game, Dubé and his staff were responsible for distributing footage and cutups to coaches and players so they could review the game quickly and begin preparing for the next one. At every Ravens practice during the season, Dubé filmed from his typical sideline post. There was pressure in the job, but Dubé always brought passion to his work.
"I was part of a tightknit video department that had each other's backs," Dubé said. "Sure there's a little pressure, but we divided and conquered. A half-hour after a game, you're getting that game video into the players and coaches' hands so they can take a look at it on the way home. The technology we have now allows you to do that big-time.
"I wasn't even a sports kind of guy in high school, I was more into cars and motorcycles. But once I was around the team, the light bulb went off. Being around a team mentally helped me be the man I ended up being, teaching me life skills. We worked hard, but we also had fun."
One of Dubé's fondest memories remains Baltimore's last Super Bowl victory against the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, watching the confetti fall and the celebration begin.
"I was breaking down my gear and trying to get down to the field as fast as I could, just taking in the moment like everyone else with the Ravens," Dubé said. "That's what you do this whole thing for. If you're working for a football team, you want to win a championship. That's the end goal."
Dubé's new passion will be the Forney House Bed & Breakfast that he owns with his wife, Diane. Their bed & breakfast has become another labor of love.
"During the pandemic when we shut down at home, my wife and I said, 'Let's find something together that we would really enjoy doing,'" Dubé said.
"It was meant to be," Dubé added. "In July of 2020, we sold our house in a day and closed on the place. It was an insane thing to do – I don't know how many times we looked at each other with furniture and stuff everywhere thinking, 'Are we crazy?' God bless my wife. I give her most of the credit for really getting it rolling and so far, so good."
The 59-year-old Dubé plans to have hip replacement surgery on June 6, then will dive into the bed & breakfast business full time. But part of his heart will always be with the Ravens. He won't be filming practices and games anymore, but he'll be rooting for them.
"What I'm going to miss is the relationships and the people I work with," Dubé said. "They're like my family. I will undoubtedly miss the camaraderie and sense of purpose that comes with being a part of this remarkable organization. It's very special to be a Raven."
