OWINGS MILLS, Maryland | Long before chasing quarterbacks in the NFL, it was on the ice of Ontario that Brent Urban was a hit. At the dawn of a first appearance in the conference final with the Ravens, the Canadian colossus clearly does not regret having chosen football.
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In the Ravens locker room, the defensive end has become a veteran who is part of the furniture. Drafted in the fourth round in 2014, the fellow from Mississauga is in his second stint in Baltimore, where he played seven of his 10 seasons in the NFL.
Obviously he feels no remorse, but at the dawn of the most important match of his career, Urban was kind enough to play the game during a meeting with the Journal. What if it was rather in hockey that he had made a career?
“I sometimes wonder if I could have made it, but when I look at hockey today, the physical game seems less and less important and I really don’t regret choosing football. Maybe I’ll be fighting somewhere in the American League,” laughed the 6’7”, 310-pound friendly giant.
A real good player
After all, Urban wasn’t just a little Sunday hockey player. At age 7, he took inspiration from his hero Eric Lindros and scored 100 goals and 100 assists in his season.
As a teenager, he was part of the Mississauga Bantam AAA Ice Dogs, which won the Ontario championship.
A power left winger who was already 6’4″ and 225 pounds at 15, he played alongside four players who were subsequently drafted into the NHL: Ryan Ellis, Casey Cizikas, Jamie Devane and Ben Chiarot, who played three seasons with the Canadian.
“We were among the best teams in the world in our age group. Out of something like 100 games per year, we won 98!
“Well, it was the best. He’s such a good guy! At 14-15 years old, we were always together in tournaments everywhere. We had so much fun. We kept in touch, we text each other sometimes,” he said.
The call of football
At 16, Urban decided to give up hockey to devote himself to football, a sport he discovered during his high school career.
“My first love was hockey and it was the NHL that I dreamed of. When I started playing football in high school, I was already very strong and it became natural. I had even more success in football.
“In hockey, I played very physical. That’s what I loved the most, but I found myself in the penalty box too often. I imagine if I had continued into junior I would have been given a sort of agitator role, but as much as I loved hitting, I also loved scoring goals. It’s not a role I would have liked,” he reflected.
Ready for a big time
In the rain at the end of the season, Brent Urban faced his sworn enemies, the Pittsburgh Steelers. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BALTIMORE RAVENS
At 32, Urban finally finds himself very close to the ultimate goal, one victory away from the Super Bowl. Last Saturday, he was finally able to savor the euphoria of a first playoff victory, after four unsuccessful attempts with the Ravens, the Bears and the Cowboys.
“I never would have imagined this life when I was young. I grew up with hockey. I enjoyed the NFL, but to me it was another world. There are so few players from Canada in the league. When I think about it today, it’s surreal.
“I am aware of where I am in my career and I realize this is my last chance. This is the time to win,” he said.
We wish him with all our hearts, because it is not with his allegiances on the hockey scene that he will taste happiness.
“I’ve always been a big Leafs fan and it’s such a sad existence! It doesn’t matter, I will never be a fan of the Canadiens and even less of the Senators. I will always remain loyal,” he concluded, giggling.
Tavius Robison: an Ontario rookie on the verge of the Super Bowl
Tavius Robinson finished his first season with the Ravens with 26 tackles, including two for losses, with a quarterback sack. PHOTO PROVIDED BY BALTIMORE RAVENS
OWINGS MILLS, Maryland | The Canadian industry smiles on the Ravens. After Brent Urban, another Ontarian, Tavius Robinson, is making his nest among the crows in Baltimore.
Originally from Guelph, the outside linebacker was also drafted like his predecessor in the fourth round, nine years later, last spring.
It was with a smile almost as wide as his 6’6″ and 260-pound frame that he shook his hand at us when he noticed that we represented the Journal.
“My father was born in Montreal and was always an Alouettes fan,” he said.
“My grandmother was in Montreal for a long time too. I had the chance to go there a few times. I remember that as soon as I turned 18, it was the place to meet up with friends for a few drinks!” he laughed.
The jump to the United States
After playing two seasons at the University of Guelph in 2018 and 2019, Robinson decided it was best for him to make the jump to the NCAA in order to achieve his dream of reaching the NFL.
A short video of his highlights sent to social networks like a bottle in the sea caused a stir. So much so that he received scholarship offers from big programs like Ole Miss, LSU and Nebraska. It was in Mississippi that he played the next three seasons.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I made my video. I didn’t even know if I would get an offer, but Ole Miss took notice of me and I felt like that’s where I should go.
“It allowed me to learn more and improve more quickly. I think it would have been more difficult for me to make the jump from Canadian university football to the NFL. Maybe I would have gotten an invite as a free agent. The NFL was my life’s goal, so I might have gotten there, but I’m happy with the path I chose,” he said.
Very close to the goal
As he prepares to face the Chiefs in the American Conference final at a packed M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Robinson can hardly believe he was in Guelph just three years ago.
“When I saw I was picked by the Ravens, I was really happy. There are so many good defensive players who have come through here. The Ravens style is what I like. It’s good to be in a group that appreciates the physical aspect so much and that plays with violence.
“It’s years and years of work, but I’m happy to get to this point. I just want to keep it going. I don’t want to think about it too much, but let’s say a Super Bowl champion in Guelph and Montreal sounds good!”
AND LETTER…
Old people in large numbers
Ray Lewis will be part of a contingent of former Ravens guests. AFP
OWINGS MILLS, Maryland | There is no doubt, the Ravens are proud of their former glories and on good terms with them. Although the franchise is relatively young, several legends have already shaped its history and will be present during the pre-game ceremonies at M&T Bank Stadium. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will be introduced before the kickoff. Anquan Boldin, Todd Heap, Matt Stover and Terrell Suggs will also be present in the stadium, as will Jonathan Odgen, who will be honorary captain. Another legend, Baltimore swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, will also be introduced to the crowd.
Thought for Benjamin St-Juste
Rashod Bateman was teammates with Benjamin St-Juste. AFP
OWINGS MILLS, Maryland | Third-year receiver Rashod Bateman played for two seasons alongside Quebec cornerback Benjamin St-Juste at the University of Minnesota. The two former teammates are only an hour away, since St-Juste plays in Washington and the two have remained in regular contact. “We talked this week,” Bateman told Journal. He is an excellent player. I’m happy for him. He has played well and been healthy this season. I think he’s going to be a phenomenal cornerback in this league.”
A compassionate kicker
Justin Tucker commiserates with other kickers, including Tyler Bass. Getty Images via AFP
OWINGS MILLS, Maryland | Poor Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass has been under attack since he missed a critical field goal late in the game last Sunday against the Chiefs. This missed punt had repercussions all the way to Baltimore. The Ravens have the chance to rely on one of the most precise kickers in the history of the NFL in Justin Tucker and the latter wanted to defend his rival, nevertheless a member of the brotherhood of kickers. “My heart is with him. He remains a good kicker and I know he will make more big kicks than he will miss. We texted each other this week and he still seems to be in a good state of mind,” he noted about the man who had to deal with death threats.
2024-01-26 20:34:32
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