The Baltimore Ravens will take to the practice fields for the first full-team practice of training camp on Thursday after veterans reported for duty on Wednesday.
But that didn’t stop head coach John Harbaugh from getting a jump-start on team-building activities for the defending Super Bowl champions. According to the team’s official website, Harbaugh cancelled practice for the team’s rookie class Wednesday and took them on a field trip to the battlefields of Gettysburg.
In addition to the rookies, a handful of veterans - including quarterback Joe Flacco - came along for the ride.
They were led on a tour of the site by a handful of Gettysburg historians and six members of the Maryland Army National Guard who relayed the stories of the famous battle to the players.
“What I got from it is what it takes to win a battle, to overcome adversity and keeping the big picture in mind. Keeping the focus on the common goal and achieving that goal,” linebacker Arthur Brown said.
The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg was earlier this month. The battle took place over three days from July 1-3, 1863.