Baltimore was buzzing with community spirit when I caught up with Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers at Gervonta Davis’ GTD Cares Annual Back-to-School Drive. The event, presented by GTD Cares in partnership with Unlimited Potential Mentoring Inc., equipped local students with book bags, food, clothing and essentials to start the school year off strong. For Flowers, who grew up as the 11th of 14 children in Fort Lauderdale, giving back has always been more than just a gesture. It is personal.
“I would say my earliest recollections was Stanley McClover and he played for the [Carolina] Panthers,” Flowers told me. “He ran this thing called Big Brothers Little Brothers and I was a part of it for 4 years with this lady named Miss Sharon and she ran me around everywhere. No matter where I had to go, she ran me to Orlando like… wherever I had to go, she ran me there. So I’m used to being a part of events like this so that’s why I always come back and give back and do something whenever I can.”
That commitment to giving back mirrors the impact he has already had on the field. Selected 22nd overall by Baltimore in the 2023 NFL Draft, Flowers wasted no time showing his value, catching nine passes for 78 yards in his debut. In just his second year, he broke through with his first 1,000-yard season, finishing 2024 with 74 receptions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns. That campaign included a five-game stretch where he topped 100 receiving yards in four contests. As the Ravens continue to build around Lamar Jackson, Flowers’ name keeps surfacing as a key to their 2025 outlook.
The offseason has been about refocusing. “Mannn…. Getting healthy and getting ready for the season and trying to win a Super Bowl and bring it back to B-More!” he said.
For Flowers, the Ravens’ history is not just something he has been told about. It is something he remembers vividly. “Oh yeah I remember!” he said when I asked him about Baltimore’s last Super Bowl appearance. “Because I wanted them to win and they were playing in the Superdome and the lights cut off but I’ve wanted them to win the whole time because I’ve always been a Ravens fan because there were a lot of Florida players that always came through here.”
The game Flowers referred to was Super Bowl XLVII, when Baltimore defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34–31 after a power outage inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans delayed play for more than half an hour.
That memory fuels his drive to be part of the next championship team in Baltimore. And the journey toward that goal begins Week One in a heavyweight matchup against the Buffalo Bills. “It’ll be exciting,” Flowers said with a grin. “I didn’t get a chance to play ‘em in the playoffs so now… I get to see ‘em!”
That game is set for next Sunday, September 7, at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, when the Ravens face Josh Allen and the Bills under the primetime lights.
Flowers’ rise has been as much about perseverance as talent. Growing up in a crowded household with 13 siblings, his competitive spirit was sharpened early. That background shaped the chip on his shoulder that he has carried into the NFL. Coaches have praised his work ethic and ability to separate in tight coverage, traits that have made him one of Lamar Jackson’s most trusted options.
What sets Flowers apart is his ability to turn small plays into big ones. His yards-after-catch ability and elusiveness in the open field have drawn comparisons to some of the league’s most dynamic wideouts. In an offense that thrives on balance, his knack for stretching defenses complements Baltimore’s run game and keeps opponents on their heels.
Off the field, Flowers’ presence at events like GTD Cares sends a message that he is more than just a football player. He is an example to the next generation of kids in Baltimore that success comes with responsibility. His visibility at community gatherings also reflects the bond between Ravens players and the city they represent, a connection that has historically fueled the franchise’s identity.
The excitement around Flowers heading into 2025 speaks to how quickly he has established himself as a cornerstone for Baltimore’s future. With the Ravens aiming to contend in a stacked AFC, his growth could be the difference in pushing them over the top. The Super Bowl is the goal and Flowers’ contributions on and off the field suggest he is ready to help lead the way.
As he enters his third season, the wide receiver carries both expectation and opportunity. Week One against Buffalo is only the beginning of a campaign that could solidify his status as one of the NFL’s emerging stars. For Flowers, the journey from Fort Lauderdale to Baltimore has been defined by inspiration, resilience and vision. Now, the stage is set for him to write the next chapter in purple and black.
