Ronnie Stanley’s Road to Recovery: A Story of Resilience
The Baltimore Ravens have always counted on Ronnie Stanley to protect their quarterbacks and anchor their offensive line. As the starting left tackle, Stanley's presence on the field has been both a source of strength and a barometer for the team's performance. However, Stanley's journey over the past few seasons has been anything but smooth. His career has seen a series of injuries that cast uncertainty on his future in football.
Stanley missed four games last season, an improvement from the previous years when injuries severely limited his playing time. The left tackle played only six games in 2020, participated in just one game in 2021, and appeared in 11 games in 2022. Despite these setbacks, he managed to return to action in 13 games this past season, an encouraging sign for both Stanley and the Ravens.
This season also marked a significant milestone for Stanley. His persistence and hard work were rewarded when he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023, an honor that highlighted his remarkable comeback. Reflecting on his journey, Stanley expressed a sense of relief and satisfaction, "For the most part, just to be able to feel like myself physically has made me a lot happier."
Offseason training and organized team activities (OTAs) played a critical role in Stanley's recovery. They provided him with the opportunity to rebuild his physical conditioning and regain his confidence. "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,'" he explained. However, Stanley acknowledged that translating this training to actual football was a different challenge. "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."
Despite the rigorous journey, Stanley’s contract saw a significant change aimed at ensuring his place with the team while also reflecting the risks involved. He reduced his base salary from $11 million to $3 million, and his contract now introduces a void year in 2025, making him a free agent a year earlier than initially planned. This adjustment allows the Ravens to have financial flexibility while Stanley focuses on his health and performance.
Stanley’s career has been a testament to his resilience. Injuries led to moments of doubt and contemplation about his future. "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. These experiences have given him a profound appreciation for the ability to play the sport he loves.
The sense of physical and athletic renewal that Stanley experienced during this period has been invaluable. "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. As the Ravens gear up for the 2024 NFL season, they do so with a rejuvenated Ronnie Stanley who is eager to contribute at the highest level. "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."
The Baltimore Ravens and their fans will undoubtedly be eager to see Stanley continue his upward trajectory. His journey from injury-riddled seasons to being named a Pro Bowler serves as an inspiration, not only to his teammates but also to athletes everywhere who face similar struggles.
With his sights set on the future, Stanley remains focused on maintaining his health and performance, striving to consistently feel and perform like the athlete he knows he can be. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," he concluded.