In the high-stakes world of the NFL, resilience is key, and few players embody this trait better than Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley. After years of grappling with injuries, Stanley's journey back to form is a testament to both his physical and mental fortitude.
Stanley's career has been marred by a series of unfortunate events over the past four seasons. In 2020, he managed to play only six games, a number that dropped to a mere one in 2021 as injuries continued to plague him. However, his determination saw him appearing in 11 games in 2022, and this past season, he further solidified his comeback by participating in 13 games. It's a trajectory that speaks volumes about his commitment to the sport and his worth to the Ravens.
Notably, Stanley's perseverance was rewarded when he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023. This accolade not only highlighted his individual talent but also underscored his successful return to top-tier performance. Pushing through the pain and uncertainty, Stanley attributes much of his rejuvenation to his rigorous offseason training and participation in Organised Team Activities (OTAs), which helped rebuild his physical conditioning.
In a candid moment of reflection, Stanley revealed the emotional and psychological toll his injuries had taken on him. "I guess being in that state when I was younger, it wasn't as savory as a moment or savory as a time, just knowing that, 'OK, your career could have been over after one play' and not knowing if I was ever going to feel like that again physically or athletically," he shared. This harrowing thought is one that many athletes fear, but few vocalize.
Yet, through steadfast determination, Stanley has found a way to not only return to the field but also to thrive. "To truly feel like that and be out there and just notice myself getting better every day and feeling more like my old self every day, it definitely makes me happy," he said. This gradual return to form was not merely a physical journey but a mental one as well. "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier," Stanley added.
Reflecting on his offseason progress, Stanley noted the incremental improvements he experienced: "It's more of a gradual thing. I think in the offseason, I definitely felt that, where it was like, 'Oh, yeah, I feel really good athletically. I feel like I'm doing these drills on the field really well. I feel like I'm making sharp cuts, being able to get low and be flexible.'" These small victories in training translated to notable gains once he returned to the gridiron. "But it’s all different when you have to translate it to football. Not until I came back here, really through OTAs and just getting back into football stuff, is really when I started to feel more confident about all of that training and that rolling over to actual production," he explained.
Stanley's journey is not just about personal achievement; it also reflects a strategic decision to ensure his future with the team. In a significant move, Stanley reduced his base salary from $11 million to $3 million, restructuring his contract in a way that makes him a free agent a year earlier, with 2025 being a void year. This financial maneuver demonstrates his commitment to the Ravens while also allowing him the flexibility to secure his long-term career options.
For Stanley, the ultimate reward is performance. "To be able to perform at the standard I know I can perform at, it just makes me feel more at ease and confident in what I'm doing and that I'm going in the right direction," he affirmed. As the Ravens prepare for the 2024 NFL season, they can do so with a renewed sense of optimism, knowing that a key player is back at his best.
"To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," Stanley concluded, summarizing his arduous yet inspiring journey. His story isn't just one of recovery but also one of rediscovery—reclaiming the prowess that once made him one of the top left tackles in the league. The Ravens, and indeed the entire NFL, will be watching closely as Ronnie Stanley continues to fortify his legacy on the field.