Gilman Grad Brandon Copeland: Playing For Ravens ‘Dream Come True’ On Multiple Levels

Ravens practice squad linebacker Brandon Copeland, who was elevated to the active roster for Baltimore’s games against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, says it’s special on multiple levels to play for his hometown team and that he’s learned how to take everything in with a new perspective.

The Ravens began the season short on outside linebacker depth, with Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo still working their way back from Achilles tears. The Ravens became thinner at the position once Steven Means suffered a season-ending torn Achilles against the Miami Dolphins Sept. 18.

The Ravens scoured for solutions after the Means injury, signing Copeland to the practice squad Sept. 21, Jason Pierre-Paul to the active roster Sept. 26 and Jeremiah Attaochu to the practice squad Sept. 27. Copeland, 31, originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2013 but hadn’t played in a regular-season game with Baltimore until this year. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound linebacker has played in 84 games with five teams dating back to 2015.

Copeland is a native of Sykesville, Md., and graduate of Gilman School, so his Ravens debut at New England — which included a sack of Patriots quarterback Mac Jones — was particularly special. And this season, the veteran linebacker is trying to stop and smell the roses.

“It’s always been a focus on not just how do I stick around, but it’s on to the next, on to the next, on to the next. For me, now this year, I’m living life after death, so to speak,” Copeland said on Glenn Clark Radio Sept. 26, one day after his Ravens debut. “I’m just playing with house money. I’m soaking in the national anthem. I’m soaking in the pregame. I’m soaking in the police escorts to the stadium, away from the stadium, the plane rides. I’m soaking in all the little details and just enjoying it all. Hopefully it leads to the best season of my career.”

Copeland explained that his Ravens debut in New England was a “dream come true” on multiple levels. He grew up a Ravens fan and remembers watching star defensive players like Chris McAlister, Mike McCrary, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Deion Sanders, Tony Siragusa and Terrell Suggs. Copeland also understands there are young fans out there who want to one day sack a Patriots quarterback for the Ravens like he did.

Plus, his foundation Beyond the Basics impacts the Baltimore area, and his family made the trip up to Foxborough, Mass., for the game.

“I tell people my dreams have layers. Not to get too deep, but I grew up dreaming of giving back to my community but also grew up dreaming of my kids coming to watch me play,” Copeland said. “As of [Sept. 25], I check that off the list. It doesn’t mean I’m done. Still got some things to do, but as of [Sept. 25], I feel full, so to speak.”

Copeland has played inside linebacker, outside linebacker and special teams throughout his time in the NFL, but right now he’s needed on the outside with Bowser and Ojabo still on the mend and veteran Justin Houston nursing a groin injury. Copeland logged 26 defensive snaps against the Patriots and 20 special teams snaps against the Bills.

Copeland joked it’s no big deal switching between linebacker positions — “see ball, get ball” — and relayed a story from his late grandfather, former Baltimore Colts defensive end Roy Hilton, about the importance of versatility. Regardless of the position you’re playing, it’s still football, Hilton used to explain to Copeland.

“He always looked at football as two people being thrown into a trash can,” Copeland said. “He would always rip up his newspaper and boxes and stuff like that to get the most room in the trash bag as possible, old school. He looked at me one day and was like, ‘Cope, you know why I was good at football?’ And I was like, ‘Why granddad?’

“I’m like 12 years old. He said, ‘I always looked at football as this trash can. You put two people in this trash can and you say only one of you can come out. I don’t care if that other person is all-world, All-American, All-Pro. I don’t care if it’s Zeus. If it’s me and you in that trash can, I’ve got to come out. It’s that simple.'”

For more from Copeland, listen to the full interview here:

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Beyond the Basics Inc.

Luke Jackson

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