Ravens Pro Bowl Transcripts (12/16)

Featuring LB Terrell Suggs, FB Le’Ron McClain and ST Brendon Ayanbadejo


LB Terrell Suggs

On his thoughts of going back to the Pro Bowl:

“It feels good. It’s definitely a privilege. I can’t really express how happy I am. It’s flattering, because you’re voted in from the guys you play against. Obviously, they’ve seen the film and they put it on. Like I said, it’s flattering to get voted in by other guys in the league.”

On if it feels different playing with “celebrities” in an NFL game as opposed to a regular game:

“It feels a lot different. It’s kind of a family vacation because you’re with your teammates that did make it. We have a little tradition around here where we bring our coaches, and I’ll take my mom, dad and brothers. It’s a really fun game. It’s just like a pickup football game. You get to play pickup football and not take it so seriously. You just get to go out there and have fun.”

On if he feels validated that it’s not all about sack numbers:

“Definitely. Ray [Lewis] said to me, ‘Just because you don’t really have many sacks doesn’t determine the type of season that you’re having.’ He told me, ‘You’re having a monster season,’ and I was like, ‘I don’t have that many sacks.’ But, he told me that and it was just really good when they called me.”

On if he has to move on from celebrating with two games left:

“Yeah, it’s short-lived. You can enjoy it just for the moment. When I go home and turn the film on, it’s back to business as usual. We have two games to the rest of our season, and we’re trying to get into the playoffs. It’s always better to achieve something like this while you’re going to the playoffs.”

On his reaction:

“Oh man, I couldn’t believe it. Chad [Steele, director of media relations] called me, and I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to see it to believe it. Now, I’m here in front of you all [the media]. I guess it’s pretty real, and I’m speechless and flattered.”

On his teammates making it:

“It’s Le’Ron’s [McClain] first time, so it was pretty neat to see his name called for the first time. You never forget your first time getting elected to the Pro Bowl, so that was pretty cool. ‘Mike and Scottie,’ you know Ray and Ed Reed, they’re pretty much used to it. It was really good to see Le’Ron get his first one.”


FB Le’Ron McClain

On having a big smile on his face about making the Pro Bowl:

“Oh yeah, man. It feels good. [head coach John] Harbaugh told me in the team meeting today. I just had to put my head down and just thank the guys that surround me, the offensive line, receivers, running backs and all the coaches.”

On if he would have believed them if someone had told him at the beginning of the year that he would be headed for the Pro Bowl:

“Oh, no. It’s been a blessing to me. Thanks to Coach [Cam] Cameron for putting his confidence in me. I’ve been doing a great job and just hope I continue.”

On if he is redefining the fullback position by going back and forth between fullback and tailback:

“It’s just my determination. I always wanted to play running back. My dream was always just to be the MVP of the Super Bowl one day playing running back. I could have my chance this year. I just remember when Coach [Cameron] told me I might have the chance to play running back now. [I] took it all in and have just been working hard to get to this point.”

On Steelers LB James Farrior telling him he would vote for him for the Pro Bowl:

“That was great. Throughout the game, guys on the Pittsburgh side were telling me that I really got their respect. And they’ve got mine, too, because they got my vote also. It feels great. I just hope I continue climbing up that ladder and don’t go back down.”


ST Brendon Ayanbadejo

On being named to the Pro Bowl:

“I was more just elated to represent the Ravens, as the special teams player. Coming off that tough loss to Pittsburgh, it just felt good to be able to represent my team with something positive.”

On what it says that he can be a Pro Bowler in the AFC after two Pro Bowls with Chicago in the NFC:

“I think it means a lot of respect, because you don’t get to play against all those NFC teams, and those guys knew me. I’d been playing there for three years. They kind of knew me in the AFC from when I used to be with the Dolphins. But it’s just a testament to my coaches – coach [Jerry] Rosburg and coach [John] Harbaugh and the scheme I’ve been fortunate to play in for four years now. I just keep trying to elevate my game, and the coaches keep trying to motivate me to get better at things I wasn’t as good at. So, it’s just a testament to my coaches.”

On being a special teams Pro Bowler:

“Unfortunately, only one guy can be known as the special teams guy. I’ve got a bunch of good guys around me – Jameel McClain and all my teammates that make me better, especially the practice squad guys like Edgar Jones. I think of the guys who aren’t necessarily playing but they’re guys I have to go against every day. Also guys that they have to take into account in the scheme when they go against our team. I’ve got great guys around me who are making me better, and I’ve got practice squad guys that are making me better. I’ve been in a fortunate position to be a three-time Pro Bowler.”

On representing his teammates and other special teams guys:

“I’m representing the Ravens before anything. Like I said before, I have been playing in this scheme for four years. Coach Harbaugh brought the scheme to Chicago via Dave Toub, and I played it there for three [seasons]. I’m just riding the wave of what those coaches have taught me.”

On what this might mean to him 15 years down the line:

“Maybe I‘ll be writing in my local high school paper. I have no idea what the future might bring. Maybe I’ll be writing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel in a town 15,000-some people, and I’ll get a column in there.”

On seeing FB Le’Ron McClain earn the Pro Bowl:

“I was on a different team last year. But this team, from where he came from in March and April, May and June… He had struggled when he got to camp to do conditioning and was just cramping up. Every day the kid just got better and better. He went from a cocoon to a butterfly to me because I had never seen him before and I didn’t really know much about him. I am especially proud of him, and he’s done a great job this year. I’m proud to be his teammate.”