October 4, 2022 • 29 mins
Player Services Manager Valerie Wideman is a do-it-all employee with the Ravens, taking care of players and their families while at the Under Armour Performance Center and in their personal lives. Hear from former players about how important she is to the Ravens.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
She's one of the most important people at the Baltimore Ravens,
but if you google her name, you won't find anything.
She flies under the radar publicly, never wants to tute
her own horn, but the players know how important she is.
I once post a graphic on the Ravens Instagram that said,
when you think of the Ravens, what's the first thing
(00:27):
that comes to your mind? And multiple Ravens legends commented
Miss val Valerie Wideman's technical title as Player Services Manager,
but day to day she's so much more than that.
If you asked a returning player who they are most
excited to see, the answer might not be a former
teammate or sorry, coach, even coach Harps. Oftentimes it's Miss val.
(00:51):
Her desk is stocked with candy and Ravens memorabilia, and
boy does she have some stories. Let's just art with
how did you get to the Ravens Originally? How did
you get here? While I moved from New York, I
was working with St. Vincent's Children Center, and I started
working a second job, which was security for an agency,
(01:14):
and my first spot was the Ravens, working at training camp.
Really so was that when I was at the college
or well they were they was at the college, but
I had to work at the facility in Owens, Nos. So,
like what year would that have been? That was ninety
eight when I started there? Got so how did you
how did your role sort of evolve into what it
(01:37):
is today? So basically I was outside in the booth,
so I started talking with the players moving their cars.
They will wave and come see me, bring me water
or whatever. And then I started getting used to everybody
known what card it was driving their license plate. So
(01:58):
when the weekends when they traveled, I work inside. So
when I work inside, I start getting packages, I start
logging a man answering phones, and that's where it all started.
So your technical title now is Player Services Manager. So
it's like that doesn't really encapsulate everything that you do.
So what does your actual role entail? Well, I still
(02:22):
I still answer the phones. I helped with plays with
their birth certificates, social curity cards, m v A license registrations, passports,
global injuries, notaries. Whatever they need. I try to help them.
I'd rather do it in house instead of someone doing
(02:44):
it outside and to them having to go track all
these things right, like which, so I'm open to help whatever, anything.
So along if this is probably a couple of years ago,
I posted this graphic on Instagram. It was kind of
a thing that was going around and it was like,
if you see like the Ravens, what do you think of?
And a bunch of Ravens legends commented Miss Val that
(03:07):
when they think of the Ravens and they think of
their time here, you're the first person that comes to mind.
And that's so special to me. Like players come back
and they're so excited to visit you. How does that
make you feel? It makes me feel good. I miss
a lot of them, That's where I thought it. They
they helped me be the person that that I am
now by giving me an opportunity to do things for
(03:30):
them and made me who I am right and just
building those relationships. What's the is the craziest thing you've
ever had to help someone with? Um like getting passports
done within three days when someone needed it within three days?
That's how how do you do that? You just know
the right people at this point, Yes, I go to
(03:52):
I go to my connections and they get it done.
They help me out. That's wild and like for I
know for like the London game, Like, I'm sure you
were involved in all of that too. That was a lot. Yeah,
what went into that. I had to have um some
some of the young ladies come out from the passport
so from the post office. They came out, set up
(04:15):
offices like in a cafetery, like each tables and the
guys was just coming in, coming in with all their documents,
making sure they had the documents. It was a lot.
It's great to me that here at the Ravens we
make it so full service because I don't think that
would offend the case most other places. You know, it's
it's not I have talked to a lot of other
(04:37):
players that came from other places and they said they
don't have a me there and the service that we
give them, they don't have that. Even I have some
of the guys that leave and then they called me
back and say Ms Val could you help me with
this um or? I lost my birth certificate and I
(04:58):
was like, I think I have it here, you know,
and I still have some of this stuff. Yes, that's funny.
It happens to be a little bit with like player verifications.
It's like a player is not here anymore, like oh, well,
I lost my blue check on Instagram? Can you help me?
And like you play for another team now, like this
is no longer my job, but sure, that's just how
it is here. Um So, when I was prepping for
this podcast, I googled your name because I was like,
(05:19):
surely someone has done a feature on Miss Val at
some point, and you've never, to my knowledge, done a
public interview before. Never, So how did I convince you?
You've been working for this for a long time? This
is not what I normally do. I'll rather stand back
(05:40):
and look at everything. Yeah, behind the scenes, I think
everyone in this organization would agree that you and Megan
McLoughlin are the ones that run everything, and people don't
know that outside of here. Um So, yeah, I've been
working Miss Val for a couple of months to get
her to sit down here. Yes, And your desk is
(06:00):
always stocks with candy, there's Ravens memorabilia, there's always someone
there when you stop by, and a lot of people
refer to you as kind of like the mom of
the team at this point, So how did you become that?
Just making sure that when these guys are here, if
they don't have family here, I try to make them
feel comfortable. Even when it comes to someone would say
(06:25):
they're hungry, and I'll make some food. I'll fry. They
love when I fried chicken, macaroni cheese. And then around
Thanksgiving or the holidays, some of them don't go home
with some of their families not here, so I make
sure if they wanted meals, I have someone that cooks,
(06:46):
make fry, turkey and all the things, giving stuff for
them so they can be comfortable. I just want them
to be comfortable so they can play football and I
can do the other side for them, and I have
to worry about at the work, about the little things.
If they need something, oh, I'll get it. I might
not know how to get it, but I'm going to
(07:08):
work my way to get it. So the make share
to come. That's really cool. Since you have been here
in some capacity since, said, what have you seen change
in your time here? I'm sure a lot, But well,
where I started off at when I became full time
in ninety nine, the building and owns mills didn't have
(07:31):
so many people, so it's a lot of people. We
got two Super Bowls. That was a big change, and
I guess like as we added those people, they did
that change your role at all bringing more people on
or not really not really, because I'll still I still
do what I'm out to do it maybe where I
(07:55):
am doing more because this I'm asked to do more things.
The help not just players, coaches and scouts. I do
a lot even for the staff members. I like to
help them instead of them. Oh, I can't come to
work yet because I need to go to the m
v A. I'll make the point before them and and
have everything done for him. Yeah, that's awesome. And how
(08:17):
did you, I guess specifically kind of we're talking about
you really have a connection everywhere at this point, so
how just over time you built those How did you
develop those relationships at places like you know, most people
do not have a friend at the nb A. Most
people dread going there, So how did you do that? Well?
When I first started, Ernest Bino was the player development
(08:38):
at the time, and when he left he gave me
his Rollo Dex and he said, everyone in this Rollo
Dex knows you. If you need anything, you can contact
them and just tell him I sent you, or they
already know. So the first person that I sat down
with was Maureen from the mv A and she spend
(09:00):
my rock since then. Wow, so what happens then one
day someday when you retire, what happens to all of
those connections? Are you gonna do? You have your own
rolodex that you'll pass on to somebody else. I will
if it will help on my will, but I don't
plan on leaving. She's not retired. I'ma be here forever.
(09:21):
So we thought it'd be fun to play a little
game since you do have a connection everywhere. So I'm
gonna run through a list of things, and I want
to know if you could get me me or you
know a generic player them. So I think you've covered
some of these already, but we'll go through the list.
So driver's license yes, passport yes, global entry yes, a
(09:41):
babysitter yes, a rental property yes, a realtor yes. How
about a mechanic yes, it's all Yes, is a doctor
but we haven't seamed. We have a team, so yes,
dinner reservation some depending on the restaurant. Well, Jamil has
a own restaurants. Said about concert tickets, Lisa, Lisa, okay,
(10:07):
it's another person on staff. Um a players autograph? Well,
I usually take them down here to them in a
little more autography and movers. Yes, I like it. It's all. Yes.
It's basically if you need something, Mrs Valle is the
place to go. Basically your phone is available to a
player or staff and bird. I think my job is seven,
(10:29):
but yours is definitely. Definitely I can get a phone
call at three o'clock in the morning. Sometimes they butt
down me and I answer and and it's it's them.
Are you answering the phone? I don't kill you. I
do sleep. But if they need me, if I'm available,
I will be there, rain er, shine, Christmas, holidays, doesn't matter.
(10:52):
Doesn't matter if they call me and say, my mother
is coming in the airport at three o'clock. Okay, beda Wow.
Most people wouldn't do that for their own family. And
I mean, this is your family, but like, that's incredible
to me. I'd, like I said, I'd rather let them
focus on football and I can focus for them on
(11:16):
the outside. I'd rather help them out that way, right
with their family, babysit, dogs, sit house, sick, anything they
need me for what I'm there. I think you know
when players always bring their families in when they sign
you know for those like big press conferences, and I
don't think people ever think about what are the kids
that they brought in when all the stuff is happening
(11:37):
there with miss Bell Megan, we haven't running them around
the building. How many wins do you think that you
could take credit for given that you keep everyone's focus
on football, because you're the one focused on everything else
every game? So Raven say, and you have miss about
to thank for every Raven victory, but we're not. It's
not her fault that they lost. That's you know, that's
(12:00):
the player's fault. But the winds are home spell. There
is a podcast that I've watched one time where they
did played this game where it was like who's the
most famous person you could get on the phone? And
they like literally in the podcast they all played this game.
It's there. It was on Zooms. They were having people
like join the call, who do you think is the
most I'm not gonna make you actually do it, but
(12:20):
who do you think is the most famous person? If
you call them? They're picking up the phone, Ray Lewis
and Ed Reid, That counts Chris Mcalliston, Jamal all of them.
If I dolly a phone they will pick it up
there answering from a spell and the first thing they
say is hamis valj Sis. Well you mentioned Chris McAllister.
(12:43):
So speaking of I have a few little videos I'm
going to play for you. So I'll let you take
my phone and you can play this one. So I'm
want to say thank you and congratulations, but more importantly,
thank you, uh for everything that you've done for me.
It's like, it's very important that you know that without you,
my life would have been like a complete wreck. And
(13:06):
you've helped me through a lot of tough times and
you've given me guidance in ways that you know only
a sister could. So that's why I like to say
that I miss you, I love you, and I appreciate
you for all that you have done for me. Take care.
Oh so that's Christmas Calcer and he did hey Sis,
Like you said, how does that make you feel to
(13:28):
see a guy like that talk about you that way?
Have tears my eyes. He is definitely my brother. It
makes me feel so good to know that they can
come back or call me for anything. Clearly you have
a very special relationship with him. How did that start?
How did you develop that so when we drafted him
(13:49):
and he walked in the door that day, he looked
to the left and then he looked at the right
and he looked at me. He was like, you're my sister,
and I'm like huh, and OSI said, I need you
to take care of him. And ever since then, he
came in, he gave me his checkbook, his credit card,
(14:10):
ex keys, this card. He said, could you turn my
gas and let you go on? I don't know how
to do this, could you do this for me? And
ever since then we have been close. Even if he's
not here, we're still close. That's awesome. I have I
have another one for you. Oh you're gonna make me
cry here, so I'll let you play this one too.
(14:31):
Him is Val. It's one of your favorite ravens right here.
I just wanted to say hello and tell you to
say hello to my nephew Justice. I know he's big,
probably a little man, but I just wanted to leave
a message to you telling you how much we love you.
(14:52):
You know how much I love you. He's like an
auntie to me. And it happened from day one when
you're braided my hair. And this message is because I
need my hair braids again. But um, we love you
and many blessings to you. Oh I need the story
on that one you braided and Reid's hair the first
(15:13):
day he was here. Well, when he came in from
from being drafted, he walked in the door and as
he was like, I need you to do his hair.
So I took him in, Um, Donnie Henderson's office and
I put some corn rolls in, we put a jacket
on him and for his interview for his introductory presscomtference
(15:35):
right there, that's wild. So you're the one that was
your stylists too, Well, that's the right, Yeah, that one too.
But yeah, and he's such an iconic player here and
you again have such a special relationship. How did that
kind of develop over time? And I know, like from
other people, and like Ed could be like Ed's intents,
you know, like and he was very serious here, and
(15:56):
so I think like he was someone that I feel
like for some people was like harder to devel about
that relationship with, but like for you was so from
the beginning, from the very beginning, if we needed stuff
done for to do it's a lot of people didn't
want to go and talk to, right, So to say
that could you ext this well, could you get a
designers or and he would just anything for you, miss
(16:19):
well anything, and he even knows your son. Well, yes,
how special is that for you? That's awesome. Justice grew
up here in football, so a lot of them note him.
Like the game yesterday, it was like a lot of
the old guys saw Justice and he was like, wow,
I remember when you was this when you was born
and look at you and so it's really good. Okay,
(16:41):
I have one more for you. This is Bart Scott
and then I'll stop trying to make you cry. I know.
But when we said we were doing this, there was
just a few guys that I had to participate. So
this is a day that is your long time coming,
but it should have been done a long time ago.
This is us really given your value. Her Flowers. I'm
(17:03):
telling you what you think about the Baltimore Ravens organization
and what makes it so special. It isn't the championships,
it isn't the the a f C championships, it isn't
the Super Bowls. It's the people. And you know, I've
been all over the place and it's the people. And
one of the most special people within your one winning drive.
You know over there and Rance Mills is Valerie. Valerie,
(17:26):
we love you, we appreciate you, and thank you for
making that house, that building a home. It is not
the same without you, and we love you so much
that you have remained a part of my life, my
charity's life. But endless amounts of players throughout the league
that have come through those doors will always cherish you
and love you and thank you so much for all
(17:46):
that you do and all that you continue to do.
You're always the connection to every person that's ever left
that building. If OSSI, if Steve needs to find somebody,
they know they can go one place, and that's you.
That's the test meant to your to your hard work
and your dedication in your commitment to us, whether we're
a current Raven a former Raven, we love you and
(18:08):
thank you so much. And this is a long time come.
I'm going to go for a Valerie statue. I think
it needs to be right next to Ray because guess what,
I'm sure I'll be calling you for something a little later,
So you're gonna statue now to see this is why
I knew I had to have you on this podcast.
Because the way that every single guy is so excited
to have you spotlighted like this. You know, even when
(18:29):
we were just walking up here today to tape this,
every single person is like, oh my gosh, ms Bow
is getting interviewed. You know, every single Raven's legend is
going to be so excited to see you featured. This
is this is this is a blessing. So we're talking
about just your impact that you've had and one of
the relationships that you've built, and Bart Scott is one
(18:49):
that you still work with. Yes, So what does that entail? Well,
Bart had had adopted to school when he first started,
was Belmont Elementary in a city, so his number was
fifty seven. So I would go shop. I would get
fifty seven kids from the school and I would get
a list of what they wanted, and he sends me
(19:10):
the money. And at that time we had toys to us.
That was the best thing ever. So I would go
into Toys Us on Rice's Town Road and the girl
said sure, So every day I would go in there
and fill up two shopping cards three shopping cards full
of stuff from the list for the fifty seven kids.
And they've taken them in the back and they wrap
them up, so nobody touches the kids stuff, bikes, tablets.
(19:32):
So come back. I bring everything back here and I
have some of the girls here help me wrap. We
wrap all of these gifts. And it's not just one gift.
A kid may have three, four kids or whatever, but
I do that for him. Then he has Thanksgiving at
helping up mission. So I would get some of the
guys to come out to be with him. And even
(19:54):
when he wasn't here, Ray Rice was the one that
stepped in, so Ray would have every thing down here.
I have it all set up. They have dinner, they
serve them, they sit down and eat with them. Now
that a lot of the guys I don't know about here,
I have the lumb Night's coming out and they help
Sorry for Thanksgiving for them. Yeah, not events still happen.
(20:16):
Happens from this day and I have to get a
list from a school of the kids so I can
start shopping again. It's kind of hard because it's not
like toys like toys us. So I go to Target.
Megan helps me a lot because she goes shopping with me,
or she goes to one store Kadija that used to
work with classicatie. She goes, her mother helps me. We
(20:37):
all they all helped me, and we come back and
I sit on the floor and I wrap all the
toys and I sit him underneath the Christmas tree. So
Bart is still funding that even though he's not here.
Yes he is. He's the really neat um And I
know that you help with some players like thanksgiving events
to hunting down turkeys and so um. A lot of
(20:58):
the guys will purchase tor geese and they have the
frozen turkey and they have the size, the stuff and
mashed potatoes and everything. We bag them everything up, We
take them to the wherever they want to give them out,
and we stand out there again and I make sure
everybody have their turkeys. It's awesome. So it's really cool
that not only are you touching so many lives in
(21:20):
this building, but in this community too. You know, a
lot of that wouldn't be possible without you, which is
really neat. Yes, And I love that Bart's still calling
you all these years later, and miss val is doing
all the shopping. He calls me, he goes, Um, I'm
sending you to money now, and I'm saying okay, I said,
which for which one helping up mission or what the toys?
(21:42):
He said, We're gonna get the toys out the way first,
So it's really cool that you do that. So I'm
gonna put you on the spot a little bit. Do
you have a favorite Raven that you've worked with? Each
and every one of them, Each and every one of them,
they're all special, they're all wor yes. Is there is
there a former player who's really, you know, impacted your
(22:03):
career here? They all have. They all have helped me,
like I said in the beginning, to be the person
that I am. They gave me opportunities to do things
that I never thought I would do. When I moved here,
I never worked in the office, and this was my
first time, you know, coming from New York. I worked
(22:26):
for New York City Housing. Starting I worked in a
group home. I never would think that I would work
for an organization like this. Did you ever think sports
would kind of be your path? I've never thought. I
never thought that. I Like, I didn't know nothing about
the Ravens when I moved here. All I knew was
giants and jets, you know, stuff like that. But when
(22:49):
I started, it was like it was awesome Purple was
my first my favorite color anyway when I moved here.
So so now, like I we talked a little bit
about what your role is he your kind of day today,
what is like a game day look like for you?
So I have the lobby where the players come in,
making sure that they're good coming in, if they need
(23:10):
me to help them with the tickets or helping with
they get risk bands for the families, I have them,
and I'm I'm there to the last player leaves to
make sure that they're okay going to their cars, even
though we have security. But that lobby is my lobby
to deal with the families and the place and making
sure that they are right and no one harasses them
(23:32):
in it right and people, I don't think people realize
how much goes into that. It's a lot of logistics,
you know, because the players coming to the stadium and
it might be their families first time being there and
they don't know where to go to get their credentials,
and so you and Megan are able to help them
with all of that. Do you have a favorite memory
from your time working here? Maybe besides winning two Super Bowls,
because I'm sure that's everyone remember Super Bowls and definitely
(23:55):
I'm I can go for another one. Were about to
I think when ink um Which was the better party?
Super Bowl party? Which super Bowl? Oh my gosh, they
both was awesome just to know. The first Super Bowl
you come out the hotel and we have the whole
parking lot full with food and you know, staff members,
(24:17):
everybody driving in Florida to see all the Ravens logos
all over the place. It was awesome. Then the second
one was just the party was good to see all
the artist is there. How we all just party together
as a family, like no one was separate. Plays here
(24:42):
that everybody was together. If I grabbed and read and
put them in the middle floor, we were just dancing.
How many of the video of that one, and I
mean anywhere that Beyonce has it was cool. I'm so
jealous and we need to marry Jay. Yeah, I mean
so cool. So everyone that I told we know. We
(25:03):
talked about how everyone's excited that you're doing this. Podcast says,
Oh the stories ms Val could tell some of them
you're probably not allowed to share, you know, but like,
is there anything that jumps out of you from your
time here that just really encapsulates it to you is
so many stories, the fun things that we have here.
You know, you have Eric do jokes. He does jokes
(25:25):
on me. Are general managers and prankster? Yes, he don't
know very much. He is just like the day to day.
You know, it's fun. It's a fun environment. You know,
people don't take themselves too seriously for the most part,
you know, unless we're coming off a tough loss, and
then the vibes are not as fun. It's not as
fun till after three o'clock. Then it gets better. Then
(25:45):
we're back to normal. We're working on the next day.
It's just it's a lot. It's it's fun. We have
bad days, we have good days, but we're still a
big family. And I love that because at the end
of the day we're all in it together, into all
into together, all right. So a couple of last things
for you. I have this. We call it a purple
(26:06):
hot seats. Not not intense, don't worry, but just a
few this or that questions for you at the end.
So training camp at McDaniel. Did you like that better?
Or having it here at the castle? Here at the Castle,
I like it better here. It's easier. My sitting down
and mc daniels wasn't really good because I was behind
a desk. But here I'm behind my my desk, your
(26:30):
usual spot. Yeah, Raven's defense or Raven's offense defense and
game day at the stadium or just a normal day
at the castle, A normal day at the castle. That's
where she's happiest. That's so we are. The last thing
I want to leave you with is just because we've
talked about so much about how how much of an
(26:52):
impact you've had here. What do you want your legacy
here to be? Not that you're going anywhere you know
when that day comes, know, a hundred years from now,
what do you want your legacy to be here? I
want to be able to keep doing what I'm doing
to help even if I'm not here anymore. And if
they contact me as would you like to come and help?
(27:13):
I sure? What I want to always be part of
his team if I can. I love that. Thanks for
coming on, miss val Thank you. I appreciate you. My
begging for three months I paid off here we are yesterday, Yes,
and I know everyone's gonna be really excited to hear it.
So thank you. Yes, you welcome. Ever since I floated
(27:36):
the idea of having Miss Val come on the podcast.
I have been bombarded by co workers asking me when
she's being featured when they can listen in. Even just
walking up to the studio today to record this, we
got stopped multiple times by people saying, Oh my gosh,
it's finally happening. It just goes to show you how
much she needs the people here. It's become cliche to
(27:58):
hear the Ravens fam only tossed around, but in these
moments you can really see what it means. It goes
beyond the players and the coaching staff. Even us on
the quote unquote business side are a part of it.
Some of us like me quite literally when you meet
your future spouse through your job, but in other ways,
to four people on my wedding next year, either current
(28:20):
or former Ravens coworkers, and so many of our lifelong
friendships we've forged here will be a part of that day.
But it's in the little things too. It's seeing Lisa Dixon,
the Senior Director Special Events and special Assistant to the
Owner and President, dropping off a car full of baby
supplies for a pregnant coworker my first month here. That's
(28:41):
just always stuck with me or around this time each year,
when every department decorates their area for Halloween and host
trick or treating for all the staff and player kids
traditions like Victory cake and food truck Tuesdays. This place
is special and people like Miss Valve are what make
it so. M don't forget to rate, leave a review
(29:03):
and subscribe if you're enjoying the podcast, and I'll talk
to you soon. M
She's one of the most important people at the Baltimore Ravens,
but if you google her name, you won't find anything.
She flies under the radar publicly, never wants to tute
her own horn, but the players know how important she is.
I once post a graphic on the Ravens Instagram that said,
when you think of the Ravens, what's the first thing
(00:27):
that comes to your mind? And multiple Ravens legends commented
Miss val Valerie Wideman's technical title as Player Services Manager,
but day to day she's so much more than that.
If you asked a returning player who they are most
excited to see, the answer might not be a former
teammate or sorry, coach, even coach Harps. Oftentimes it's Miss val.
(00:51):
Her desk is stocked with candy and Ravens memorabilia, and
boy does she have some stories. Let's just art with
how did you get to the Ravens Originally? How did
you get here? While I moved from New York, I
was working with St. Vincent's Children Center, and I started
working a second job, which was security for an agency,
(01:14):
and my first spot was the Ravens, working at training camp.
Really so was that when I was at the college
or well they were they was at the college, but
I had to work at the facility in Owens, Nos. So,
like what year would that have been? That was ninety
eight when I started there? Got so how did you
how did your role sort of evolve into what it
(01:37):
is today? So basically I was outside in the booth,
so I started talking with the players moving their cars.
They will wave and come see me, bring me water
or whatever. And then I started getting used to everybody
known what card it was driving their license plate. So
(01:58):
when the weekends when they traveled, I work inside. So
when I work inside, I start getting packages, I start
logging a man answering phones, and that's where it all started.
So your technical title now is Player Services Manager. So
it's like that doesn't really encapsulate everything that you do.
So what does your actual role entail? Well, I still
(02:22):
I still answer the phones. I helped with plays with
their birth certificates, social curity cards, m v A license registrations, passports,
global injuries, notaries. Whatever they need. I try to help them.
I'd rather do it in house instead of someone doing
(02:44):
it outside and to them having to go track all
these things right, like which, so I'm open to help whatever, anything.
So along if this is probably a couple of years ago,
I posted this graphic on Instagram. It was kind of
a thing that was going around and it was like,
if you see like the Ravens, what do you think of?
And a bunch of Ravens legends commented Miss Val that
(03:07):
when they think of the Ravens and they think of
their time here, you're the first person that comes to mind.
And that's so special to me. Like players come back
and they're so excited to visit you. How does that
make you feel? It makes me feel good. I miss
a lot of them, That's where I thought it. They
they helped me be the person that that I am
now by giving me an opportunity to do things for
(03:30):
them and made me who I am right and just
building those relationships. What's the is the craziest thing you've
ever had to help someone with? Um like getting passports
done within three days when someone needed it within three days?
That's how how do you do that? You just know
the right people at this point, Yes, I go to
(03:52):
I go to my connections and they get it done.
They help me out. That's wild and like for I
know for like the London game, Like, I'm sure you
were involved in all of that too. That was a lot. Yeah,
what went into that. I had to have um some
some of the young ladies come out from the passport
so from the post office. They came out, set up
(04:15):
offices like in a cafetery, like each tables and the
guys was just coming in, coming in with all their documents,
making sure they had the documents. It was a lot.
It's great to me that here at the Ravens we
make it so full service because I don't think that
would offend the case most other places. You know, it's
it's not I have talked to a lot of other
(04:37):
players that came from other places and they said they
don't have a me there and the service that we
give them, they don't have that. Even I have some
of the guys that leave and then they called me
back and say Ms Val could you help me with
this um or? I lost my birth certificate and I
(04:58):
was like, I think I have it here, you know,
and I still have some of this stuff. Yes, that's funny.
It happens to be a little bit with like player verifications.
It's like a player is not here anymore, like oh, well,
I lost my blue check on Instagram? Can you help me?
And like you play for another team now, like this
is no longer my job, but sure, that's just how
it is here. Um So, when I was prepping for
this podcast, I googled your name because I was like,
(05:19):
surely someone has done a feature on Miss Val at
some point, and you've never, to my knowledge, done a
public interview before. Never, So how did I convince you?
You've been working for this for a long time? This
is not what I normally do. I'll rather stand back
(05:40):
and look at everything. Yeah, behind the scenes, I think
everyone in this organization would agree that you and Megan
McLoughlin are the ones that run everything, and people don't
know that outside of here. Um So, yeah, I've been
working Miss Val for a couple of months to get
her to sit down here. Yes, And your desk is
(06:00):
always stocks with candy, there's Ravens memorabilia, there's always someone
there when you stop by, and a lot of people
refer to you as kind of like the mom of
the team at this point, So how did you become that?
Just making sure that when these guys are here, if
they don't have family here, I try to make them
feel comfortable. Even when it comes to someone would say
(06:25):
they're hungry, and I'll make some food. I'll fry. They
love when I fried chicken, macaroni cheese. And then around
Thanksgiving or the holidays, some of them don't go home
with some of their families not here, so I make
sure if they wanted meals, I have someone that cooks,
(06:46):
make fry, turkey and all the things, giving stuff for
them so they can be comfortable. I just want them
to be comfortable so they can play football and I
can do the other side for them, and I have
to worry about at the work, about the little things.
If they need something, oh, I'll get it. I might
not know how to get it, but I'm going to
(07:08):
work my way to get it. So the make share
to come. That's really cool. Since you have been here
in some capacity since, said, what have you seen change
in your time here? I'm sure a lot, But well,
where I started off at when I became full time
in ninety nine, the building and owns mills didn't have
(07:31):
so many people, so it's a lot of people. We
got two Super Bowls. That was a big change, and
I guess like as we added those people, they did
that change your role at all bringing more people on
or not really not really, because I'll still I still
do what I'm out to do it maybe where I
(07:55):
am doing more because this I'm asked to do more things.
The help not just players, coaches and scouts. I do
a lot even for the staff members. I like to
help them instead of them. Oh, I can't come to
work yet because I need to go to the m
v A. I'll make the point before them and and
have everything done for him. Yeah, that's awesome. And how
(08:17):
did you, I guess specifically kind of we're talking about
you really have a connection everywhere at this point, so
how just over time you built those How did you
develop those relationships at places like you know, most people
do not have a friend at the nb A. Most
people dread going there, So how did you do that? Well?
When I first started, Ernest Bino was the player development
(08:38):
at the time, and when he left he gave me
his Rollo Dex and he said, everyone in this Rollo
Dex knows you. If you need anything, you can contact
them and just tell him I sent you, or they
already know. So the first person that I sat down
with was Maureen from the mv A and she spend
(09:00):
my rock since then. Wow, so what happens then one
day someday when you retire, what happens to all of
those connections? Are you gonna do? You have your own
rolodex that you'll pass on to somebody else. I will
if it will help on my will, but I don't
plan on leaving. She's not retired. I'ma be here forever.
(09:21):
So we thought it'd be fun to play a little
game since you do have a connection everywhere. So I'm
gonna run through a list of things, and I want
to know if you could get me me or you
know a generic player them. So I think you've covered
some of these already, but we'll go through the list.
So driver's license yes, passport yes, global entry yes, a
(09:41):
babysitter yes, a rental property yes, a realtor yes. How
about a mechanic yes, it's all Yes, is a doctor
but we haven't seamed. We have a team, so yes,
dinner reservation some depending on the restaurant. Well, Jamil has
a own restaurants. Said about concert tickets, Lisa, Lisa, okay,
(10:07):
it's another person on staff. Um a players autograph? Well,
I usually take them down here to them in a
little more autography and movers. Yes, I like it. It's all. Yes.
It's basically if you need something, Mrs Valle is the
place to go. Basically your phone is available to a
player or staff and bird. I think my job is seven,
(10:29):
but yours is definitely. Definitely I can get a phone
call at three o'clock in the morning. Sometimes they butt
down me and I answer and and it's it's them.
Are you answering the phone? I don't kill you. I
do sleep. But if they need me, if I'm available,
I will be there, rain er, shine, Christmas, holidays, doesn't matter.
(10:52):
Doesn't matter if they call me and say, my mother
is coming in the airport at three o'clock. Okay, beda Wow.
Most people wouldn't do that for their own family. And
I mean, this is your family, but like, that's incredible
to me. I'd, like I said, I'd rather let them
focus on football and I can focus for them on
(11:16):
the outside. I'd rather help them out that way, right
with their family, babysit, dogs, sit house, sick, anything they
need me for what I'm there. I think you know
when players always bring their families in when they sign
you know for those like big press conferences, and I
don't think people ever think about what are the kids
that they brought in when all the stuff is happening
(11:37):
there with miss Bell Megan, we haven't running them around
the building. How many wins do you think that you
could take credit for given that you keep everyone's focus
on football, because you're the one focused on everything else
every game? So Raven say, and you have miss about
to thank for every Raven victory, but we're not. It's
not her fault that they lost. That's you know, that's
(12:00):
the player's fault. But the winds are home spell. There
is a podcast that I've watched one time where they
did played this game where it was like who's the
most famous person you could get on the phone? And
they like literally in the podcast they all played this game.
It's there. It was on Zooms. They were having people
like join the call, who do you think is the
most I'm not gonna make you actually do it, but
(12:20):
who do you think is the most famous person? If
you call them? They're picking up the phone, Ray Lewis
and Ed Reid, That counts Chris Mcalliston, Jamal all of them.
If I dolly a phone they will pick it up
there answering from a spell and the first thing they
say is hamis valj Sis. Well you mentioned Chris McAllister.
(12:43):
So speaking of I have a few little videos I'm
going to play for you. So I'll let you take
my phone and you can play this one. So I'm
want to say thank you and congratulations, but more importantly,
thank you, uh for everything that you've done for me.
It's like, it's very important that you know that without you,
my life would have been like a complete wreck. And
(13:06):
you've helped me through a lot of tough times and
you've given me guidance in ways that you know only
a sister could. So that's why I like to say
that I miss you, I love you, and I appreciate
you for all that you have done for me. Take care.
Oh so that's Christmas Calcer and he did hey Sis,
Like you said, how does that make you feel to
(13:28):
see a guy like that talk about you that way?
Have tears my eyes. He is definitely my brother. It
makes me feel so good to know that they can
come back or call me for anything. Clearly you have
a very special relationship with him. How did that start?
How did you develop that so when we drafted him
(13:49):
and he walked in the door that day, he looked
to the left and then he looked at the right
and he looked at me. He was like, you're my sister,
and I'm like huh, and OSI said, I need you
to take care of him. And ever since then, he
came in, he gave me his checkbook, his credit card,
(14:10):
ex keys, this card. He said, could you turn my
gas and let you go on? I don't know how
to do this, could you do this for me? And
ever since then we have been close. Even if he's
not here, we're still close. That's awesome. I have I
have another one for you. Oh you're gonna make me
cry here, so I'll let you play this one too.
(14:31):
Him is Val. It's one of your favorite ravens right here.
I just wanted to say hello and tell you to
say hello to my nephew Justice. I know he's big,
probably a little man, but I just wanted to leave
a message to you telling you how much we love you.
(14:52):
You know how much I love you. He's like an
auntie to me. And it happened from day one when
you're braided my hair. And this message is because I
need my hair braids again. But um, we love you
and many blessings to you. Oh I need the story
on that one you braided and Reid's hair the first
(15:13):
day he was here. Well, when he came in from
from being drafted, he walked in the door and as
he was like, I need you to do his hair.
So I took him in, Um, Donnie Henderson's office and
I put some corn rolls in, we put a jacket
on him and for his interview for his introductory presscomtference
(15:35):
right there, that's wild. So you're the one that was
your stylists too, Well, that's the right, Yeah, that one too.
But yeah, and he's such an iconic player here and
you again have such a special relationship. How did that
kind of develop over time? And I know, like from
other people, and like Ed could be like Ed's intents,
you know, like and he was very serious here, and
(15:56):
so I think like he was someone that I feel
like for some people was like harder to devel about
that relationship with, but like for you was so from
the beginning, from the very beginning, if we needed stuff
done for to do it's a lot of people didn't
want to go and talk to, right, So to say
that could you ext this well, could you get a
designers or and he would just anything for you, miss
(16:19):
well anything, and he even knows your son. Well, yes,
how special is that for you? That's awesome. Justice grew
up here in football, so a lot of them note him.
Like the game yesterday, it was like a lot of
the old guys saw Justice and he was like, wow,
I remember when you was this when you was born
and look at you and so it's really good. Okay,
(16:41):
I have one more for you. This is Bart Scott
and then I'll stop trying to make you cry. I know.
But when we said we were doing this, there was
just a few guys that I had to participate. So
this is a day that is your long time coming,
but it should have been done a long time ago.
This is us really given your value. Her Flowers. I'm
(17:03):
telling you what you think about the Baltimore Ravens organization
and what makes it so special. It isn't the championships,
it isn't the the a f C championships, it isn't
the Super Bowls. It's the people. And you know, I've
been all over the place and it's the people. And
one of the most special people within your one winning drive.
You know over there and Rance Mills is Valerie. Valerie,
(17:26):
we love you, we appreciate you, and thank you for
making that house, that building a home. It is not
the same without you, and we love you so much
that you have remained a part of my life, my
charity's life. But endless amounts of players throughout the league
that have come through those doors will always cherish you
and love you and thank you so much for all
(17:46):
that you do and all that you continue to do.
You're always the connection to every person that's ever left
that building. If OSSI, if Steve needs to find somebody,
they know they can go one place, and that's you.
That's the test meant to your to your hard work
and your dedication in your commitment to us, whether we're
a current Raven a former Raven, we love you and
(18:08):
thank you so much. And this is a long time come.
I'm going to go for a Valerie statue. I think
it needs to be right next to Ray because guess what,
I'm sure I'll be calling you for something a little later,
So you're gonna statue now to see this is why
I knew I had to have you on this podcast.
Because the way that every single guy is so excited
to have you spotlighted like this. You know, even when
(18:29):
we were just walking up here today to tape this,
every single person is like, oh my gosh, ms Bow
is getting interviewed. You know, every single Raven's legend is
going to be so excited to see you featured. This
is this is this is a blessing. So we're talking
about just your impact that you've had and one of
the relationships that you've built, and Bart Scott is one
(18:49):
that you still work with. Yes, So what does that entail? Well,
Bart had had adopted to school when he first started,
was Belmont Elementary in a city, so his number was
fifty seven. So I would go shop. I would get
fifty seven kids from the school and I would get
a list of what they wanted, and he sends me
(19:10):
the money. And at that time we had toys to us.
That was the best thing ever. So I would go
into Toys Us on Rice's Town Road and the girl
said sure, So every day I would go in there
and fill up two shopping cards three shopping cards full
of stuff from the list for the fifty seven kids.
And they've taken them in the back and they wrap
them up, so nobody touches the kids stuff, bikes, tablets.
(19:32):
So come back. I bring everything back here and I
have some of the girls here help me wrap. We
wrap all of these gifts. And it's not just one gift.
A kid may have three, four kids or whatever, but
I do that for him. Then he has Thanksgiving at
helping up mission. So I would get some of the
guys to come out to be with him. And even
(19:54):
when he wasn't here, Ray Rice was the one that
stepped in, so Ray would have every thing down here.
I have it all set up. They have dinner, they
serve them, they sit down and eat with them. Now
that a lot of the guys I don't know about here,
I have the lumb Night's coming out and they help
Sorry for Thanksgiving for them. Yeah, not events still happen.
(20:16):
Happens from this day and I have to get a
list from a school of the kids so I can
start shopping again. It's kind of hard because it's not
like toys like toys us. So I go to Target.
Megan helps me a lot because she goes shopping with me,
or she goes to one store Kadija that used to
work with classicatie. She goes, her mother helps me. We
(20:37):
all they all helped me, and we come back and
I sit on the floor and I wrap all the
toys and I sit him underneath the Christmas tree. So
Bart is still funding that even though he's not here.
Yes he is. He's the really neat um And I
know that you help with some players like thanksgiving events
to hunting down turkeys and so um. A lot of
(20:58):
the guys will purchase tor geese and they have the
frozen turkey and they have the size, the stuff and
mashed potatoes and everything. We bag them everything up, We
take them to the wherever they want to give them out,
and we stand out there again and I make sure
everybody have their turkeys. It's awesome. So it's really cool
that not only are you touching so many lives in
(21:20):
this building, but in this community too. You know, a
lot of that wouldn't be possible without you, which is
really neat. Yes, And I love that Bart's still calling
you all these years later, and miss val is doing
all the shopping. He calls me, he goes, Um, I'm
sending you to money now, and I'm saying okay, I said,
which for which one helping up mission or what the toys?
(21:42):
He said, We're gonna get the toys out the way first,
So it's really cool that you do that. So I'm
gonna put you on the spot a little bit. Do
you have a favorite Raven that you've worked with? Each
and every one of them, Each and every one of them,
they're all special, they're all wor yes. Is there is
there a former player who's really, you know, impacted your
(22:03):
career here? They all have. They all have helped me,
like I said in the beginning, to be the person
that I am. They gave me opportunities to do things
that I never thought I would do. When I moved here,
I never worked in the office, and this was my
first time, you know, coming from New York. I worked
(22:26):
for New York City Housing. Starting I worked in a
group home. I never would think that I would work
for an organization like this. Did you ever think sports
would kind of be your path? I've never thought. I
never thought that. I Like, I didn't know nothing about
the Ravens when I moved here. All I knew was
giants and jets, you know, stuff like that. But when
(22:49):
I started, it was like it was awesome Purple was
my first my favorite color anyway when I moved here.
So so now, like I we talked a little bit
about what your role is he your kind of day today,
what is like a game day look like for you?
So I have the lobby where the players come in,
making sure that they're good coming in, if they need
(23:10):
me to help them with the tickets or helping with
they get risk bands for the families, I have them,
and I'm I'm there to the last player leaves to
make sure that they're okay going to their cars, even
though we have security. But that lobby is my lobby
to deal with the families and the place and making
sure that they are right and no one harasses them
(23:32):
in it right and people, I don't think people realize
how much goes into that. It's a lot of logistics,
you know, because the players coming to the stadium and
it might be their families first time being there and
they don't know where to go to get their credentials,
and so you and Megan are able to help them
with all of that. Do you have a favorite memory
from your time working here? Maybe besides winning two Super Bowls,
because I'm sure that's everyone remember Super Bowls and definitely
(23:55):
I'm I can go for another one. Were about to
I think when ink um Which was the better party?
Super Bowl party? Which super Bowl? Oh my gosh, they
both was awesome just to know. The first Super Bowl
you come out the hotel and we have the whole
parking lot full with food and you know, staff members,
(24:17):
everybody driving in Florida to see all the Ravens logos
all over the place. It was awesome. Then the second
one was just the party was good to see all
the artist is there. How we all just party together
as a family, like no one was separate. Plays here
(24:42):
that everybody was together. If I grabbed and read and
put them in the middle floor, we were just dancing.
How many of the video of that one, and I
mean anywhere that Beyonce has it was cool. I'm so
jealous and we need to marry Jay. Yeah, I mean
so cool. So everyone that I told we know. We
(25:03):
talked about how everyone's excited that you're doing this. Podcast says,
Oh the stories ms Val could tell some of them
you're probably not allowed to share, you know, but like,
is there anything that jumps out of you from your
time here that just really encapsulates it to you is
so many stories, the fun things that we have here.
You know, you have Eric do jokes. He does jokes
(25:25):
on me. Are general managers and prankster? Yes, he don't
know very much. He is just like the day to day.
You know, it's fun. It's a fun environment. You know,
people don't take themselves too seriously for the most part,
you know, unless we're coming off a tough loss, and
then the vibes are not as fun. It's not as
fun till after three o'clock. Then it gets better. Then
(25:45):
we're back to normal. We're working on the next day.
It's just it's a lot. It's it's fun. We have
bad days, we have good days, but we're still a
big family. And I love that because at the end
of the day we're all in it together, into all
into together, all right. So a couple of last things
for you. I have this. We call it a purple
(26:06):
hot seats. Not not intense, don't worry, but just a
few this or that questions for you at the end.
So training camp at McDaniel. Did you like that better?
Or having it here at the castle? Here at the Castle,
I like it better here. It's easier. My sitting down
and mc daniels wasn't really good because I was behind
a desk. But here I'm behind my my desk, your
(26:30):
usual spot. Yeah, Raven's defense or Raven's offense defense and
game day at the stadium or just a normal day
at the castle, A normal day at the castle. That's
where she's happiest. That's so we are. The last thing
I want to leave you with is just because we've
talked about so much about how how much of an
(26:52):
impact you've had here. What do you want your legacy
here to be? Not that you're going anywhere you know
when that day comes, know, a hundred years from now,
what do you want your legacy to be here? I
want to be able to keep doing what I'm doing
to help even if I'm not here anymore. And if
they contact me as would you like to come and help?
(27:13):
I sure? What I want to always be part of
his team if I can. I love that. Thanks for
coming on, miss val Thank you. I appreciate you. My
begging for three months I paid off here we are yesterday, Yes,
and I know everyone's gonna be really excited to hear it.
So thank you. Yes, you welcome. Ever since I floated
(27:36):
the idea of having Miss Val come on the podcast.
I have been bombarded by co workers asking me when
she's being featured when they can listen in. Even just
walking up to the studio today to record this, we
got stopped multiple times by people saying, Oh my gosh,
it's finally happening. It just goes to show you how
much she needs the people here. It's become cliche to
(27:58):
hear the Ravens fam only tossed around, but in these
moments you can really see what it means. It goes
beyond the players and the coaching staff. Even us on
the quote unquote business side are a part of it.
Some of us like me quite literally when you meet
your future spouse through your job, but in other ways,
to four people on my wedding next year, either current
(28:20):
or former Ravens coworkers, and so many of our lifelong
friendships we've forged here will be a part of that day.
But it's in the little things too. It's seeing Lisa Dixon,
the Senior Director Special Events and special Assistant to the
Owner and President, dropping off a car full of baby
supplies for a pregnant coworker my first month here. That's
(28:41):
just always stuck with me or around this time each year,
when every department decorates their area for Halloween and host
trick or treating for all the staff and player kids
traditions like Victory cake and food truck Tuesdays. This place
is special and people like Miss Valve are what make
it so. M don't forget to rate, leave a review
(29:03):
and subscribe if you're enjoying the podcast, and I'll talk
to you soon. M
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.