Joe Flacco – Quarterback #5

Joe Flacco is the current starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco was born and raised in Audubon, New Jersey, where he grew up with a passion for sports. In high school, Flacco played multiple sports, including football and baseball. Flacco was especially good at playing football and excelled as a quarterback in high school. He was recruited to the University of Pittsburgh and attended the university on an athletic scholarship. At Pittsburgh, however, Flacco did not touch the field often and decided to transfer to the University of Deleware. At Deleware, Flacco sent 20 school records and won many awards. After his career at Deleware, Flacco entered the 2008 NFL Draft.

In the 2008 NFL Draft, Joe Flacco was consistently ranked as one of the top quarterbacks coming into the NFL. Joe Flacco had what was considered at the time, stiff competition at his position in the draft. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Michigan quarterback Chad Henne were fighting with Flacco for the status of the best quarterback in the draft. In the first round of the NFL Draft, Joe Flacco was selected with the 18th pick, to the Baltimore Ravens. The only quarterback to be selected before Flacco was Matt Ryan, who was picked third overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

When Joe Flacco arrived in Baltimore, the Ravens planned on sitting Flacco for his rookie season. However, an injury to starting quarterback Kyle Boller, and an illness to Troy Smith put Flacco in position to start at quarterback in the opening game. In that opening game, the Ravens faced off against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals, and won. Under Flacco, the Ravens finished the 2008 season with an 11-5 record, losing to the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Since becoming the Ravens starting quarterback, Flacco has lead Baltimore to six playoff appearances, and one Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl XLVII, the Ravens defeated the 49ers, and Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP.