OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) 鈥� NFL veteran Calais Campbell knew he wanted to keep playing, even after a family tragedy this summer resulting in his mother鈥檚 death and his brother being charged with murder.
鈥淚 love the game of football a lot 鈥� it brings me joy,鈥� the 39-year-old Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman said Tuesday in his first public remarks since his mother’s death. 鈥淚t was a little harder training, but as far as football goes, I love this game a lot. And this is a very fun place for me to be. So playing football has been great for me.鈥�
The Ravens signed the six-time Pro Bowler in April to a one-year deal for his 19th NFL season.
In late June, police in Atlanta during a welfare check. Her 41-year-old son Ciarre Campbell was charged with murder after he was found with a knife, according to arrest warrants. The family told police that Ciarre struggles with mental illness.
The Ravens permitted Calais Campbell to miss the first few full-team practices of training camp. He participated in his first team session on Aug. 3, five days after the Ravens opened full-team camp.
鈥淭hese last couple months have been pretty tough for me and my family, but we鈥檙e working through it,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淎nd I really appreciate all the love and support and the prayers that have been coming from all over, really, from all the NFL community. 鈥� Continue praying for us because we need it.鈥�
Campbell, who will turn 40 on Sept. 1, previously played in Baltimore from 2020-2022, making his sixth and final Pro Bowl during his first season with the Ravens.
He returns to an organization with a different look, including first-year head coach Jesse Minter and a mostly new coaching staff.
鈥�(He) brings great versatility along the D-line, is an unbelievable leader and mentor in that room and in the defensive room and with the team,鈥� Minter said of Campbell, who has 117 career sacks in 278 NFL games, including 259 starts. 鈥淭he timing of it obviously was really tough for him and his family. We allowed the first week or two of camp for him to really kind of work himself to get ready, as it affected his summer preparation, obviously. 鈥� I鈥檓 really happy that we have him.鈥�
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