The Baltimore Ravens Introduce Captain Patches
The Baltimore Ravens introduced a significant uniform change for the playoffs, breaking tradition with the addition of captain patches on select players' jerseys for the first time in team history. The Ravens' six captains, voted on by the team, include quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, running back Derrick Henry, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, and inside linebacker Chris Board. Additionally, the Ravens designated center Tyler Linderbaum and safety Kyle Hamilton as game captains for the wild-card playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL first implemented captain patches in 2007, allowing teams to assign up to six players to wear the "C" on their jerseys. Under Head Coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have traditionally rotated their captains on a game-by-game basis, often selecting players with unique connections to specific matchups. Harbaugh praised the team's leadership this season, noting that the players' commitment and focus have been exceptional. "The leadership has been really outstanding," Harbaugh said. "It's been really something they've been locked in, in a real special way. It was just an opportunity to acknowledge that."
Harbaugh emphasized the importance of recognizing the leadership of players like Jackson, Smith, and Andrews. Smith expressed deep gratitude for the honor, explaining, "That's an honor, truth be told. To have your teammates and peers view you as a captain and a leader, that's big time. I have a lot of respect for the guys, and I'll never sell the guys short. I'll always lay it on the line for those guys – not just talk, but actually go out and do it – so when you're a guy like that, guys tend to follow, and guys get behind you."
For Henry, receiving the captain patch in his first year with the team was a surprising and humbling experience. "I was a little shocked," Henry admitted. "I voted for Lamar and Mark, and I definitely appreciate my teammates for seeing me as somebody – as a leader and as a captain of this team, being in my first year here. That's all I wanted to do when I came and signed [was] just earn my teammates' respect, and I really appreciate them, and I'm going to continue to do that."
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