It’s a common practice for NFL players to purchase tickets for family and friends to attend a game.
But it’s a little different when you’re playing for your hometown team.
Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth is in that situation. The former Western Tech (Catonsville, Md.) and University of Maryland star had to sift through “a couple hundred” ticket requests for this Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Foxworth said he is acquiring 10.
“I’ve found several ways to tell people no,’” Foxworth said with a laugh. “I try to be nice and tell them whichever way I can, but I’m not going to be stressing myself out on Wednesday and Thursday trying to call, and make sure, see who’s coming, see who’s going. I pretty much have my tickets set for the entire season. Anyone who calls me from here on out, I’m telling them that the Ravens are sold out. I can’t do anything about that.”
Regardless of who is in the stands at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 13, it will be a dream come true for Foxworth.
Drafted in this third round by the Denver Broncos in 2005, Foxworth spent three years in the AFC West before joining the NFC’s Atlanta Falcons last season.
Along the way, he admitted he routinely kept abreast of the Ravens’ status.
“It’s tough to put into words, because this team is in my blood,” Foxworth said. “It’s kind of a running joke that I’ve had before the draft – I mean, I’m a fan of whoever is paying me, but now it’s genuine. I was a fan of the Ravens when they won the Super Bowl. I’ve been a fan. I’m playing for this city. It’s my city. It’s the city I grew up in.”
Foxworth looked solid in the preseason. Starting opposite Fabian Washington, Foxworth seemed to be growing into his role on Baltimore’s physical defense, a trait he wasn’t necessarily known for in previous years.
“I feel like I fit in. I’m fast and smart and aggressive, and that’s what I think the Ravens’ defense is built on,” explained Foxworth. “I’ve had a great time just running around, and [it's] kind of given me a little bit more confidence in my abilities. I’ve always felt like I was a great player, and I always thought Ozzie [Newsome] was the best talent evaluator in the league. For him to think I’m good enough to start on this defense and to be out there with the talent [the Ravens] have out there – it covers up for mistakes that you may make.
“It allows you to really loosen up and have a good time and cut loose, try to hit people, which is a little out of character for me,” he added with a smile. “But I’ve been doing it lately. I think it’s infectious. I might have caught it from hanging around Ray [Lewis].”
