Ravens Insider: Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge

ExtremeRavens · July 24

Justin Tucker had only one question for Wes Moore.

The Ravens’ veteran kicker bumped into the Maryland Gov. along the sideline of Wednesday’s training camp practice and asked, “Did I hear you got a new dog?”

“Yes,” Moore said enthusiastically of the fluffy mixed-breed rescue puppy his family adopted last year. “And his name is Tucker!”

The two shared a big hug and praised one another as part of Moore’s first visit of the year to the team’s facility in Owings Mills. As much anticipation as there was for quarterback Lamar Jackson to make his training camp debut after missing three days because of illness, there appeared to be a similar excitement from players, staffers and fans to mingle with Moore.

One youngster asked Moore if his purple No. 8 Jackson jersey was a custom thread. “No,” he said, “this is the best player in the NFL’s jersey. I’m a big fan of him and a big fan of the whole team.” Moore vowed to another young fan that the two-time league Most Valuable Player would bring home a Super Bowl this year.

He shared full-bellied laughs and wide grins for photos with kids and parents alike while basking in the excitement of a team with championship expectations.

“This is such an exciting team,” Moore said. “We are so special. When you look at everything from our assets and our players to our coaching, the mentality — this is a no-lose mentality. We had a great year last year, it didn’t end the way any of us hoped it would. But I’ll tell you what, I’m excited that we got the Chiefs Week 1 ’cause we gon’ bring it to ’em Week 1.”

Moore’s scouting report for his favorite football team was merely a series of questions about how opposing teams could possibly prepare for a Ravens offense.

“Who do you have on your scout team that is as fast as Lamar Jackson?” he asked. “Who do you have on your scout team that prepares you for Derrick Henry? Do you throw a linebacker to go play running back?”

Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. chats with Baltimore Ravens Gradyn Fordes, 10 of New Columbia, PA, who wears a jersey for quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Governor Wes Moore, D-Md. chats with Baltimore Ravens Gradyn Fordes, 10 of New Columbia, PA, who wears a jersey for quarterback Lamar Jackson during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Moore had a chance to play catch with Henry before making his way out to the field. Then he stood to the side as the team’s highly anticipated offseason addition juked between upside down trash cans with the rest of the running backs. Moore could only shake his head, bewildered watching the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry up close.

“Let me be clear,” Moore said. “Derrick Henry is a monster. That’s a big dude right there.”

Football aside, Moore did address topics more pressing to his line of work.

Of the state of the Democratic Party on the heels of President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination, Moore is most optimistic by the election’s change in tone: from “speech patterns and walking gait” to the polarizing visions for the future of the country.

“I think the party is energized,” said Moore, who on Monday endorsed Harris and said he has “no interest” in leaving his role as governor to serve as her running mate. “I think it’s been a while since there’s been a real debate about the contrast that exists between the candidates. That changed on Sunday. … There’s a very real choice that people in this country are going to make with two very contrasting visions.

“I’m excited for the work that we’ve done historically for the Biden-Harris administration. I’m excited about the work that we have done with the Vice President. And I’m looking forward to supporting her in any way that I can to make sure that she’s successful in November.”

Moore also addressed The Francis Scott Key Bridge’s recent federal funding approval following its collapse in March. By Labor Day, the transportation authority hopes to select a builder, with sights set on the new bridge opening to traffic by October 2028.

“What this state just pulled off was a case study on how to respond to tragedy,” Moore said. “We saw in record time, what people said would take 11 months, we were able to get the full federal channel cleared in 11 weeks and get the Port of Baltimore reopened. I was also clear when I said, the mission is not complete until we get that Key Bridge rebuilt. That will be mission accomplished.”

Moore added he was on the phone earlier Wednesday with both Democratic and Republican senators about getting the Baltimore Bridge Relief Act the financial support required to finish building the bridge on schedule.

After wrapping his Ravens visit — and, as he said, drying off the sweat that comes with time spent at a July football practice — Moore headed over to M&T Bank Stadium. The longtime home of the Ravens announced last year a series of stadium development projects behind more than $400 million in state-funded renovations. That includes exclusive suites, a beer hall and an upgraded club level with the hope of hosting events beyond football at the 26-year-old stadium.

“I’m excited to see the new renovations,” Moore said. “It’s great to have such a phenomenal partner in the Baltimore Ravens. In their ownership group and in their leadership group. These are people who understand what it means to win. … The Baltimore Ravens play a really important part in making sure that it’s Baltimore’s time. I’m excited to get there to check it out and I’m excited to be there every home game cheering the team on.”

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Ravens Insider: Gov. Wes Moore takes in Ravens camp, talks presidential race and Key Bridge

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