Baltimore Ravens Tight End Mark Andrews Breaks Silence After AFC Divisional Loss
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews took to Instagram on Thursday, breaking his silence following multiple fourth-quarter miscues — a lost fumble and dropped two-point conversion to tie the game — during the team’s 27-25 AFC divisional loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Andrews’ Emotional Post
“It’s impossible to adequately express how I feel. I’m absolutely gutted by what happened on Sunday,” Andrews wrote. “I’m devastated for my teammates, my coaches and Ravens fans. I pour every ounce of my being into playing at the highest level possible, because I love my team and the game of football like nothing else. That is why it’s taken me until now to collect my thoughts and address this publicly.”
GoFundMe Fundraiser for Breakthrough T1D
In the days following Baltimore’s season-ending loss, a GoFundMe fundraiser, originally organized by Bills fan Nicholas Howard, has accumulated over $100,000 across more than 3,000 donations to a charity close to Andrews’ heart, Breakthrough T1D. Established in 1970, the non-profit organization focuses on global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy for those who, like Andrews, have been impacted.
“Despite the negativity, I’ve seen heartfelt love and encouragement, including from those who have generously donated to the Breakthrough T1D organization,” Andrews wrote on Thursday. “Even when the moment seems darkest, perspective can reveal that there’s still a lot of light in this world. I’m now going to do my part to bounce back and contribute to it.”
What’s Next for Andrews?
That Andrews didn’t speak to reporters after Sunday’s game and again wasn’t present in the locker room Monday was out of character for the veteran tight end. He’s long been one of the Ravens’ most accessible and accountable players. He was awarded the Ravens’ Media Good Guy earlier in his career for his cooperation with the media.
Obviously, his comments on his Instagram account aren’t going to make this a non-story. Whenever Andrews next meets the media, his fourth-quarter fumble and the drop of a potential game-tying two-point conversion pass in a two-point loss to the Bills will remain prominent storylines. However, it wasn’t going to be hard for the Ravens and for Andrews to move forward from this bitter loss without the tight end addressing it in some fashion.
This was already shaping up to be an interesting offseason for Andrews. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract. His salary-cap number rises to $16.9 million in 2025. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh maintained Wednesday that Andrews is a huge part of the team’s future, but complicating matters is the fact that Baltimore’s other two tight ends, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, are both headed into the final year of their contracts.
General manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged that the team will have some difficult decisions to make at the tight end position going forward.
Conclusion
Mark Andrews’ emotional post on Instagram has given fans a glimpse into the tight end’s thoughts and feelings following the Ravens’ season-ending loss. As the team looks to the future, Andrews will be an important part of the discussion, particularly with his contract set to expire in 2025. The GoFundMe fundraiser for Breakthrough T1D is a testament to the tight end’s commitment to giving back to the community and supporting a cause close to his heart.
FAQs
Q: Why did Mark Andrews take so long to address the media after the game?
A: Andrews said he needed time to collect his thoughts and process his emotions before speaking publicly about the game.
Q: What is Breakthrough T1D?
A: Breakthrough T1D is a non-profit organization that focuses on global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy for those who have been impacted by the disease.
Q: How much has been raised for Breakthrough T1D through the GoFundMe fundraiser?
A: Over $100,000 has been raised across more than 3,000 donations.
Q: What is next for Mark Andrews?
A: Andrews will likely be an important part of the Ravens’ offseason discussions, particularly with his contract set to expire in 2025.