Ronnie Stanley's Resilient Return to Form
Ronnie Stanley, the Baltimore Ravens' venerable left tackle, has had a tumultuous past few seasons, marked by injuries and the arduous road to recovery. Yet, the 2023 season saw this resilient player marked for the Pro Bowl, a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
Stanley's career has been on a rocky trajectory due to injuries over the last four seasons. In 2020, he played only six games, followed by a lone appearance in 2021. The 2022 season saw an improvement with Stanley participating in 11 games. Most recently, he was on the field for 13 games, demonstrating a remarkable comeback.
The challenges of his past undoubtedly linger in Stanley's mind. Reflecting on those difficulties, Stanley candidly shared, "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." His career-threatening injuries have not only impacted his physical capabilities but also played a significant role in shaping his mental fortitude.
However, the narrative for Stanley this past season was one of rejuvenation and rediscovery. "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," Stanley expressed with a sense of accomplishment and relief.
Part of Stanley's resurgence can be attributed to his rigorous offseason training and participation in Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which have been pivotal in rebuilding his physical conditioning. "It's more of a gradual thing," Stanley explained. "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.'"
Despite his significant progress during the offseason, Stanley acknowledged that the real test came when translating that work to actual football scenarios. "But it’s all different when you have to translate it to football. 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." This process of transitioning from training to performance underlines the arduous nature of his recovery.
One of the most telling adjustments of Stanley’s journey back was his decision to reduce his base salary from $11 million to $3 million. This restructuring, which now makes him a free agent a year earlier with 2025 being a void year, demonstrated his commitment to both his recovery and the team's future.
Reflecting on his overall progress, Stanley noted, "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." This renewed confidence was evident throughout the season as he took to the field game after game.
Stanley's ability to finally feel like himself again has been a cornerstone of his recent success. "To truly feel like myself again, that’s what makes all the difference," he affirmed, emphasizing the significance of his physical and mental resurgence.
As the Ravens prepare for the 2024 NFL season, they will undoubtedly benefit from Stanley’s presence on the offensive line. His journey from the depths of injury to the heights of a Pro Bowl selection stands as a testament to his resilience and determination. For Stanley, the challenge of rising to the top again has been a rigorous one, but his triumph offers hope and inspiration, exemplifying the indomitable spirit of an athlete who refused to let adversity define his career.