ESPN.com: The Ravens' (very) secret weapon (very good and inspiring article)

[NewRegime]

Click here for link

Hey, Baltimore fans, this might make you spit out your crab cakes.

You realize who's been calling the first play of Ravens' games lately? Like the one that went for an 83-yard touchdown against the Patriots?

If you said head coach John Harbaugh, you'd be wrong.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron? Wrong again.

QB Joe Flacco? Strike three.

The guy who's been calling the first play lately isn't a guy at all. It's a 14-year-old Baltimore kid. His name is Matthew Costello, he's got an inoperable brain tumor and he's on a lucky streak.

"You gotta meet this kid," says Cameron.

This all started when Matt, a third baseman and pitcher for Loyola Blakefield Middle School, was hit in the eye with a pitch that tipped off his bat. He ended up with double vision. A few dozen doctors later, they found a malignant tumor. Now his days are mostly going to chemo sessions and wondering if he's ever going to get back to playing any of the three sports he loves.

Cameron's son, Danny -- Matthew's classmate -- told his dad about him, how he lives for the Ravens. Next thing you know, Cam Cameron was driving through the biggest snowstorm to hit Baltimore in years -- getting stuck three times -- with a Flacco-signed football, a signed hat and glad tidings for Matthew.

Why? Maybe because Cameron survived serious melanoma cancer at age 28.

Click link at top for entire article...

[Roger.Staubach]

Nice article and thanks for posting!

[NewRegime]

Nice article and thanks for posting!

I thought it was pretty awesome on so many levels.

[RedskinsTime]

Wow.. great story. Must have been a thrill for him watching Ray Rice take it in from 80 yards out.

[THEREALTOR1]

Great story, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Matthew and his family. Get well soon Matthew!

[GhostofSparta]

That's ******* awesome. And I gotta admit, the sick part of me does take a certain joy in the fact that a 14 year old with a brain tumor outsmarted Bill "The Super Genius" Bellicheck.

Damnit, suddenly I have a new-found respect for the Ravens. Curse you OP!

[NewRegime]

That's ******* awesome. And I gotta admit, the sick part of me does take a certain joy in the fact that a 14 year old with a brain tumor outsmarted Bill "The Super Genius" Bellicheck.

Damnit, suddenly I have a new-found respect for the Ravens. Curse you OP!

LOL, I work in B-more and here it all the time

[Roger.Staubach]

Medical issues aside, I am actually jealous of the kid. Being a fan of my team for 30+ years has enabled me to see some terrible playcalling by my team. I'm sure that everyone, like me, has 'wished' for a certain playcall.

Sure hope he gets better.


**and kid...if you're reading this...swing for the fences!! Help make this a good game.

[Jeff in D.C.]

Great article, great and at the same time a sad story, thoughts and prayers to Matthew & his family.

As a Skins fan I wish we would have this kid calling plays instead of Zorn the first half of the season.

[HapHaszard]

Great article, thanks for posting it.

[NewRegime]

Great article, thanks for posting it.

Thanks. I am emailing everyone I know the article. Its a great story you don't read often enough.

[darklight1216]

That's a great story; thanks for sharing it.

[ACW]

[Warhead36]

As a Skins fan I wish we would have this kid calling plays instead of Zorn the first half of the season.

For real I'd take him over Zorn in a heartbeat

[DeMarco Murray 29]

This makes me proud to be a fan of the NFL when they do great things like this. Even something as small as letting the kid call one play you are making his life that much better.

Great story and thanks for posting.