Baltimore Ravens: Rookies in Los Angeles for NFL Rookie Premiere
By Joe Serpico
The future of the NFL has been in Los Angeles over the weekend as the NFL Rookie Premiere is gearing the rookies for the road that lies ahead.
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The Baltimore Ravens have three rookies in attendance for the event. First-round pick Breshad Perriman, second-rounder Maxx Williams and fourth-round selection Javorius Allen were all selected to join more than 40 of their peers at the event in Los Angeles.
All of the invited players are quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers except defensive lineman Leonard Williams of the New York Jets and the Ravens new tight end.
The event forced the trio to miss the Ravens recent OTAs this past week, and they will be a little behind with the team when the mandatory camp starts on Jun 16. The team is scheduled to host another set of OTAs, beginning tomorrow, June 1, and the mandatory minicamp will begin on June 16.
The event was created in 1994 with the intention of helping the first-year players learn how to handle the business aspect of the NFL. It is important for the players to understand how to manage the finances because most have never seen the money they are about to receive. The average length of an NFL career is approximately 3 ½ years, and it is important that the young guys are educated on life after football.
It also gives rookies an opportunity to connect the rookies to meet with companies for marketing purposes. Some of the companies in attendance include EA Sports, Nike, Samsung, FedEx, Gatorade, New Era, Fanatics and Tostitos. Ahmad Nassar, the president of NFL Players Inc., said this in an NFLPA release:
"“NFLPA Rookie Premiere is the best opportunity for our partners to engage early on with the next wave of the NFL’s marketing stars. Beyond providing a platform to learn about the business of football and benefits of their union as they game plan for their new careers, Rookie Premiere gives players a chance to showcase their personalities so that the NFLPA team can use that insight to connect the right players with the right brands to tell their story.”"
For the fans, it is the first time you will see the rookies donning a Ravens uniform. Each rookie takes photos for the trading card company Topps at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in addition to autographing memorabilia to include with the cards.
The rookies also receive their player ranking for the upcoming edition of the video game Madden. A lot of these guys grow up playing the game, and is a dream come true for the young guys.
They have plenty of more hard work ahead, but it is important to remember that these rookies are still kids. They are going to have fun. They just have to learn not to get carried away with it. After some grueling months preparing for the NFL Draft, the NFL Rookie Premiere gives the rookies a chance to have some down time with their peers.
The Ravens rookies are happy to be in attendance, but tomorrow, it is time to get back to work.