December 6, 2022 • 38 mins
Stephanie Macdonald, wife of Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and former Ravens cheerleader, talks the crazy year they've had from the Big Ten Championship to the NFL, the scrutiny he's under as an NFL DC and her eight-year NFL cheerleading career.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
What is up, everybody. I've got to say one of
the coolest parts of hosting a podcast is getting the
chance to sit down with people that I selfishly just
want to get to know myself, and getting to share
these really cool people with you. Stephanie or Steph McDonald
is a great example of that. We have mutual friends,
which we'll get into, but I've just always heard the
(00:29):
best things about her, So what better way to finally
meet her than to have her on the Purple Chair Podcast.
She's a former Ravens Titans and Commander's NFL cheerleader and
oh yeah, by the way, she's also married to our
first year defensive coordinator Mike McDonald. Because she's been a
part of multiple franchises, including this one in now multiple ways,
(00:51):
Steph has a really interesting perspective on the most inner
workings of the NFL, so let's dive in. So personally,
I'm really I had to have you on because I
feel like for years we have a good mutual friend
Travis on the coaching staff, so every I'm always taking
Mike and stuff, Mike and stuff and stuff. I've never
met you, so this is great for me to finally
meet you in person. I've always heard such great things.
(01:12):
Oh my gosh, you're so sweet. Thank you know, Travis awesome,
we've been I mean we've been friends for a long time.
So yeah, he's great. You guys go way back when
Mike was hired back in January as a defensive coordinator,
actually interviewed him. Did like his first little one on
one when he came back, and I remember that. So
it's full circle now that I have both members of
the family. But we recapped just like the crazy year
(01:35):
that you guys have had. You got married, He gets
a DC job at Michigan, you know, takes Michigan, helps
take Michigan to the Big Ten championship, which is awesome,
then gets hired back here as Ravens defensive coordinators. So
what has the past year of life been like for
you guys? It has been the most beautiful, crazy, chaotic,
you know, blessing. We're just so blessed. I mean when
(01:57):
when Mike got the job at Michigan, I was pumped.
I'm like, let's go. But it was one of the
craziest times in our life because we were we were
still planning a wedding. He was living at Michigan, and
I was trying to sell our house in Baltimore. We lived.
We had a nice, little, acute, little row home in Canton,
so I was trying to sell that and we have
a dog, and I was still working full time and
(02:20):
it was just it was crazy. And then we bought
a house, so it's trying to move, you know, planning
a move, planning the wedding. And then I never saw
him because he's working all the time. So that was crazy. Um.
And then it's funny because I sing for this church
in Timonium and there's like it's it's a worship band.
(02:41):
It's awesome. I just I love it so much. But
I started with them before we left to go to Michigan,
and we just had one of the best years of
our lives in Michigan. Michigan was incredible. Um. But I
remember before we left, I was hugging one of the
girls at church and she's like, I have this weird
feeling you'll be back, and she knew you, and I'm like,
maybe like years down the road next year. No, I
(03:05):
never thought that we would be back as soon as
we were. I mean, the whole past year just feels
like a blur. But it. It was. It was incredible.
I'm sure, were you able to do any sort of
like honeymoon after the wedding or was it kind of
like we're off to Michigan full steam hub So we
Mike surprised me because I I did of the planning
for the wedding, so I'm doing that right now. You are.
(03:27):
Oh my gosh, it's crazy. So I said, you can
play the honeymoon. And I wanted to be a surprise.
Don't tell me where we're going, like I want to
be surprised, And so he picked Hawaii and he kept
it a secret too. He didn't tell me. I didn't
find out until like the day we left. And it
was amazing. Um. So we spent like fourteen days in Hawaii.
We did Kauaide, and we did Maui. But it was
(03:48):
funny because you know, we're over in Paradise, and with
with college coaching, you're recruiting all the time. So even
in Paradise, he's still taking recruiting calls. We're on like
a boat together and he's like taking a recruiting call
on this boat. No. I I think I saw like
a picture of um, like a Michigan tea shirt in
(04:09):
Hawaii and it's like, Michigan is everywhere, and I'm like,
this isn't this guy, this's Honnymoon. It's I mean, it
really is everywhere. It's crazy. You see the block m
everywhere you go. And I didn't realize it until we
were there. You know, I went to Virginia chech so
I'm like, oh, Hokeys are everywhere, but Michigan is everywhere.
It's bananas. I honestly feel like I didn't really know
that until I came here. And obviously with the hardball connection,
(04:30):
I feel like I know a lot more about Michigan
football than I ever did before working here. And like
I didn't realize obviously the storied program, but I didn't
really realize how big it is, like nationally, I had
no clue until we went there, and I'm like, oh,
this is a really big deal. It's crazy. So kind
of logistically, what is that process? Like, like, obviously you
(04:50):
added in planning a wedding to all of that, but
kind of like when he gets that job and you
have to move somewhere that maybe you've never even been before, Like, logistically,
how do you go about figuring out where to live
like kind of establishing yourself in this new place too. Yeah,
that was it was. It was tough, but Michigan, like
the people they're just made it so easy. They were
(05:11):
so excited to help. They were super excited to have
Mike on staff, and they had a realtor who helped
us like pick out an area we wanted to live in,
and you know, going to Michigan it was it was
really helpful. And even coming back here, they were you know,
obviously we already have a lot of friends here, We
have a lot of connections here. We had people who
already wanted to help us, so it wasn't as difficult
(05:33):
coming home. But yeah, you're right, like I didn't know
anybody in Michigan, but they just we became a family
so quickly because they were so welcoming. Yeah. So when
this opportunity back in Baltimore arises, is that like an
automatic yes? Or is like there's some discussion there just
because of the fact that you kind of guys had
(05:54):
just gotten to Michigan. We hadn't even lived in Michigan
for a year, less than a full year. We we
bought a house. We wouldn't have bought a house if
we had known we were moving back. Its true. I
mean I thought we were going to be there for
three to five years if we did well, and we
did well. Um, but it just goes to show you
just know, you can't make your own plans. But so
(06:15):
Mike did ask me, Um, He's like, you know, how
would you feel? Is this something? And I was like, yes,
like let's go back, like all our friends are here,
We're closer to family. You know, this is where we met,
this is where we fell in love, and it's you know,
it was a very easy yes for me. Are you
(06:36):
from this area? Originally? I was born in Annapolis and
I went to middle school and high school and Fredericksburg, Virginia,
So like the d m V, so it is like
kind of close to home. Then oh yeah, that's awesome.
So you guys come back to Baltimore. The draft rolls around,
and I just remember like feeling like it was so
meant to be. When the Ravens selected David A. Jabo,
I just had like chill, I like, how cool is this?
(06:59):
Like obviously he was a big part of mike success
in Michigan, and then to have him back here, obviously
we're hoping he's getting on the field very soon here.
So what was that kind of like I never thought
that we would get him, just because he is so talented,
and it was it was meant to be, You're right,
Like when we when we picked him, I just I
(07:21):
lost it. I was I was about to cry, Like
I was just so excited because you know, to think
about his background and and how late in life he
started shorting football. You know, he just had such an
incredible year and Mike and I were so proud of him,
and now to see it come full circle and Mike
still gets to be his coach, Like that's pretty cool.
I feel like football is so special in that way,
(07:42):
like when you see these things come full circle, like
both Mike coming back here, but then also like him
being able to bring this player that's so special to
him here. Like those are the things that like just
can be chills. You know. I love it. I love that.
So what was the off season like kind of as
you guys were moving back here, He's preparing to be
d C in the NFL and you guys are kind
of getting settled back in Baltimore, it was we're trying
(08:06):
to find a house, you know, because we had to
be back right away. Um, so our realtory was great.
She found us a you know, a temporary place downtown.
But we have a three year old labrador and he
doesn't really belong in a condo in the city anymore
where are so we were trying. I mean, the biggest
thing was we just have to find a yard, you know,
(08:26):
we have to find a house for our dogs. So
we didn't move into our house until August. So it
was just, you know, a very temporary kind of lifestyle.
Like all our stuff was in storage. So obviously, you
know Michigan, there are a lot of eyeballs. It's a
big national program, like we talked about. But what's I
would imagine. I guess I'll say that, like the scrutinty
(08:48):
here is a lot higher, especially as a first year
defensive coordinator. So how have you seen my kind of
handle that? I guess. Yeah, you're right, he's under a microscope.
But it was bad at Michigan in like, we were
definitely under a microscope at Michigan. But here, you know,
you have to think about he's one of thirty two
and that's it. You know, he's got to be on
(09:09):
and it's his first year, so obviously there's you know,
he said he's learned so much already. But I was
thinking about that on my way here. It's better that
he's in this position and not me because I I
have high highs and I've got low lows, and um,
when things are good, I'm just so excited, and then
when things are not good, I'm like, oh man, the
world is falling apart. But with him, I remember asking
(09:33):
him before his game, like before his first game, and like,
how do you feel? Like are you excited? Are you nervous?
Like how do you feel? And He's like, straight face,
I feel good. I'm like, of course, of course, just
like so level headed, cool as a cucumber, just like
going into it and um. And he was even telling
me like at the games, like there's you know, fireworks,
(09:55):
there's stuff going on, there's fans screaming, and he hears
none of it. Like all he thinks about is like
the play that's going on. And I'm like, like laser focus. Yeah,
I'm like, how do you do that? How can you?
How can your brain turn all of this off? And
uh yeah, So I think he handles it really well.
And we're off social media, like we don't. We don't
(10:16):
do that anymore, which is a blessing because I feel
like everybody, especially Twitter, like people can just they just
want to fire everyone every day. Sure it's crazy, Like okay,
well then you try doing this. It's it's not easy. Yeah,
And it's interesting because like from the outsider's perspective, like
he does seem really even killed, And I guess you
(10:36):
never know, like if someone's actually that way, but I
kind of feel like it kind of takes that almost
to be that successful in this kind of role. Like
I feel like Hardball is also really good at like
kind of compartmentalizing and that way, Like there's so many
things going on that you kind of have to be
able to do that. Actually had Jackie Hamilton's Kyle's mom
on an episode and she kind of said the same
thing about him. She's like, I'm emotional, I'm all over
(10:58):
the place, but he's so like if he had a
great game, he's like the same level as if he
maybe had a few plays, he'd like back, you know,
like and I'm the same as you, Like, I'm I'm fiery,
and I'm like on Twitter, I'm like wanting to type
back at people, and I had to put him in
my draftste them after two days when I should probably
not say that, But I did want to talk to
you about social media because, like I actually noticed that.
(11:19):
So I noticed that when you were at Michigan. I
did some backstalking when I was disclosure that you were
like more active on Twitter when you guys were at Michigan.
So that was kind of like a conscious choice you
made to not partake at this point. Yeah, it's funny.
I I'm not sure why I have taken a step back,
but ever since we moved back and he's gotten this
(11:41):
big role, and I just I feel like it's kind
of nice to protect your privacy a little bit more. Um,
it's kind of a peaceful thing. It's kind of a
peaceful thing to imagine it would be. Yeah, just you know,
not seeing the and I thought I was when I
was at Michigan. You're right, I tweeted a lot more
and is more active, and and I thought I did
(12:02):
a pretty good job responding to the people who might
not have had the nicest comment. But you know, it's
just another thing in the NFL. I'm like, yeah, I
just I'm I'm past that point. I'm kind of exhausted
over that. That's fair. I will say, I feel like
everything is very positive and like I know that can
always change, but I do think that there's just like
(12:22):
level of love, especially for defense, you know from Ravens
fans that I think is really cool here, and there
is that like level of respect that's just always been
like this organization's forte, you know, so it is cool
to see him kind of like leading the charge on
that now when it's also i mean there's there's high
expectations when it con presents defense. Yeah, it's it's not
(12:42):
coming and they'll take care of it, like you have
to take care of this is your baby now. And
it's like most organizations, you know, people would say that
about the offense. I think here is the one place
that like defense is truly the bread and butter. Obviously
have a great offense. Now I'm not saying that we don't,
but like that's just what this place is known for,
you know, exactly. That is a that's a lot of responsibility.
(13:03):
I'm sure, what do you think has been the biggest difference.
I guess kind of being at the collegiate level, I
guess for a short time versus the NFL. That's a
good question, probably just the amount of time off that
he gets, because in college there's you know, even when
you're quote unquote off, you're still recruiting. The recruiting just
never ends. So it's you know, calling people like we
(13:26):
had um there was a seven pm night game we played,
i think the University of Washington last year, and his
mom came in town for that game, and you know,
she was thinking we'd get to spend a lot of
time with him, and the whole day it's just like
you got you know, he's at breakfast and then he's
the facility and he's doing this, and you know, you
(13:47):
just don't get to spend as much time with him
like when he's off, he's off here in the NFL,
which is it's it's a blessing. Yeah, I guess, like
it's it's kind of counterintuitive. You would almost think the
NFL would be worse, but you know, players sign here,
they're they're coming, you know, like they don't really have
a choice or not. Maybe free agency. There's like a
smidge of recruiting that goes on, but at the end
(14:10):
of the day, you kind of know who you've got
and they're going where the money is coming from, Like
you're not trying to convince them too. That's interesting but them.
But I will say about college, it's I mean, the
experience in the Big House is I don't get me wrong,
I love love love M ANDT Bank Stadium. Like I
cheered here and and I know our fans are incredible,
(14:32):
but there's something there's something to be said about the
Big House at Michigan. Just dred and ten thousands fans
and and then they play Pump it Up and you know,
you just lose your mind. It's so it was so
much fun. I feel like with colleges people have that
like personal connection to like obviously people have personal connection
(14:52):
to the Ravens, but when it's your alma mater, it's
so different, and that kind of elevates the game environment.
I feel like absolutely absolutely. As he's kind of like
finding his identity as the defensive coordinator here being in
his first year, how do you kind of find your
own niche I guess, for lack of a better word,
coming back here, re establishing yourself here and also like
(15:13):
being his spouse. Yeah, well that's that's another reason why
I'm so grateful. For the church that I sang at.
They were my first text when it's incredible I got
his job. I was like, hey, Joe, do you still
need me? You can't replace me yet, did you? And
and he said come on back, like when when can
you start? I'll send you the songs. So just to
have that family, it's it's just it's really I'm so
(15:36):
grateful for them, um that they let me come back.
And one of the singers was even telling me over
the summer, he said, you're not just Mike's wife, you
know here at church, you're you're Stephanie. You're you're the
girl who sings at church, and he's Stephanie's husband exactly exactly.
He did come to mass a couple of weeks ago, um,
and it was really cute. Our father White was so
(15:58):
excited to see him. And but he, you know, he's
at by himself. And but I'm like people, you know,
they recognize you now you can't hide as easily as
you But it's great that you have that outlet for
like your own you know, expression in that way exactly well.
And a lot of people don't don't even know that
Mike's my husband. Um, I think people are starting to learn.
(16:20):
But yeah, most people are just like, oh yes, Stephanie.
You know I love when you're saying. I'm like, thank you. Awesome.
So what does the Sunday look like for you? Then?
So it's staying in church and then are you high
tailing it down to Mt Bank Stadium. It's Sundays are
crazy and a lot of times the times I'm hosting,
so I've got family and Terry and I'm like, hey,
(16:41):
good luck. You know, I'll see there. I don't know
how you're getting in the game, but good luck. Because
I have to be at church. We have sound check
at eight in the morning. We have our first mass
starts at nine am, and our second mass starts at
so I don't get out of there until like mass
doesn't end until so putting in a little, I've got
a little over an hour to change and get to
(17:03):
the game and hopefully make it in time for kickoff.
And I've just I've missed it, but like this much.
There was one game where we had a touchdown in
like the first five seconds. I can't remember what game
that was, but anyway, I'm like those with Devin Dune. Yeah,
I missed it. Walking up to the press box, so
you weren't the only one. Yeah, I'm like, well, if
we already scored this amazing. So I actually want to
(17:25):
go back to pre Mike because I don't know the
stats on this, actually, but i'd have to imagine that
of all the spouses of defensive coordinators and NFL, you're
probably the only one that's also a former cheerleader of
that organization. So that's so unique, and I feel like
you must have kind of a different perspective on the
organization because you were a part of it even pre him. Yeah, yeah,
(17:48):
I mean I made the team before he even thought
about coaching in the NFL, like I was. I. I
made the team in two thousand thirteen. I had cheered
for the Titans for two years before. Oh I didn't
realize that. Yeah, I cheered for the Titans for two years.
That was my first team, and then moved to Baltimore
and I made the team and I was so so excited.
(18:10):
And Mike didn't come until two thousand fourteen. That was
his his um. I was almost about to say rookie
year kind of. He was an intern. He was a
coaching intern. But yeah, we didn't know each other at all,
And of course there's you know, you're not allowed to
fraternize with players, coaches, or staff. So like I knew
the rules and I didn't try anything. I didn't even
(18:30):
know who he was. But looking back, it's crazy because
I went to the Pro Bowl in two thousand fourteen.
It was my Pro Bowl year. It was two thousand
fifteen was the year that the Ravens coaches all went
to the Pro Bowl. So we were both in Phoenix
at the same time. It's crazy, and we just had
no idea until. I feel like that's like in a movie,
you know, where like the people cross pass like earlier
(18:52):
in their life and then like later it comes back
and they realized there at the same place. That's so cool.
I love that. So you also cheered for the Commanders, correct, Yeah,
So three teams? So what sticks out to you kind
of about your career. Oh gosh, I just you know,
after eight years in the NFL, um every team is
so completely different and they all have different expectations and
(19:12):
different things. Like I stunted with the Ravens. I didn't
stunt on on the Titans or Washington. You know, those
were both very heavily danced teams. I went to the
Pro Bowl with the Ravens, so that was incredible. But
then when I was with Washington, I did I think
I did four military tours overseas. I went to I
don't even know how many countries we went to, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Kuwait, Bahrain.
(19:37):
Where else did we go? De Booty, Honduras? Like I
was crazy? That was probably one of the most rewarding
experiences of my life to bring a piece of home
to our service men and women. But but yeah, it was.
It was I'm so glad that I got to do that,
and I made the best friends that I could ever
(19:57):
I could ever dream of. So you mentioned earlier that
you sing for a church, but you also saying the
national anthem when you were with the Commanders, Right, yep,
how does that come about? That's incredible? Like what Ravens? Hello? No,
I actually have a good friend who sings for a
lot of the Ravens games. Um, yeah, Jamie Saville, She's cool.
She's yeah, one of my best friends. But um, she
(20:18):
ever needs. It's funny because I actually when I was
singing at church, she subbed for me last weekend. Yeah,
so I I still sing at this church. But Mike
and I went to Michigan for the bye week and
I was like, hey, Jamie, like, can you fill in that?
But yeah, I've been singing my whole life, and um,
it's one of those things that with Washington. They when
when we did the military tours, singing was part of
(20:39):
our performance. So we would perform for the troops, like
we had the whole show that we would do, and
they asked me to sing for the show. It's really cool,
and I said, you know, I can also I know
all the words to the national anthem, might be happy
to do that. So so I auditioned and I got
to do that a couple of times and it was
just incredible, you know. And there was one game we
had a fly over that was amazing because you know,
(21:00):
anytime you can have a flyovers really being DC like
that's just a little extra special there. Oh yeah, that's awesome.
So how did you get into cheerleading? Initially, my mom
put me in cheerleading when I was five because she
wanted me to learn how to spell. To spell oh yeah,
you know like sounded the yes. Yeah. Anyway, so she
(21:22):
that's why she put me in it. Initially, but I
just fell in love with the sport. You know, I
wanted to do tumbling. I wanted to stunt. I wanted
to get thrown in the air. You know, that's it's fun.
It's so much fun. And she tried other sports with me,
you know, she tried soccer and stuff, and then I'm
just doing cartwheels. So she's like, I don't think that.
I don't think this is the right sport for her.
And I know obviously you guys have both been at
(21:43):
the same Ravens games, But has Mike ever gotten to
see you cheer just as a fan? Yes, yes, Mike
has seen me cheer my rookie season. I can't remember
the exact game, but I think we played the Vikings
and the Ravens had a bye week, so he got
to um watched me cheer. And it was so cute
because I'm on the sideline doing my things. This is
(22:05):
at the Commander, this isn't Washington yet, so I'm down
on the sideline, I'm cheering, doing my thing, and and
he finds me and I see him in the stands
and it was the cutest thing. He's holding up his
phone and he's he's looking at his phone, waving, trying
to take the video and wave and he doesn't stop waving.
He just keeps on waving, and I'm like, it was
(22:28):
just it was so adorable. I love that he was
as excited for me to have my thing as I
am for him to have his dream job. I mean,
this is his dream job, you know. And cheering that
was that was my dream, Like I always wanted to
cheer in the NFL. I got to cheer for three
different teams for eight years, Like it was a dream
come true. Do you think games are more or less
(22:50):
stressful watching my coach versus you cheering on the sidelines
watching my coach? For sure, I'm helpless. I'm a helpless fan.
I I'm with I'm with the fan base. I'm just
as helpless as everyone else, you know. And you're watching
it and your heart is down there and you know
you want him to do so well, So there is
a different It's not fun watching games anymore. It's just
(23:13):
not fun. It's I was talking angried about this. She
watches without the sound. Really, she turns the sound off,
so I try. It's weird. I don't. I can't do it.
It is a stressful way to watch. But when I'm cheering,
you know, I I trust my skills. I know what
I can do, and I've practiced that, and I go
out there and I execute, and you can control it exactly. Yeah,
(23:35):
watching without sound is interesting because I do feel like
it would be hard to hear like criticism of like
your spouse, you know, or like even praise sometimes, you know.
But that's I feel like I would kind of zone
out if I wouldn't like listening to it, you know,
would be harder to Yeah, that's interesting. I thought about that.
How did you kind of make the decision that you
did want to step away? This was so I I
(23:58):
cheered for Washington for three years. My last year was
which was kind of perfect timing because happened and then
everything was crazy and you know, are they even cheering
for games? Like do we even have a team? So
after I'm like, Okay, I'm definitely not coming back. But
it was it was tough. It was a tough decision
just because it's easy to get sucked back in. You know,
(24:22):
all your friends are there and and you get to
cheer on game day. You you you get to put
on the superhero uniform and represent something bigger than yourself.
It's yeah. I feel like a lot of people, even
like business side here, have a hard time like when
they leave, you know, for another job, because like a
normal job, you don't feel like you're a part of
(24:43):
something bigger than yourself. You know. And I think like
whether you're a cheerleader, you're social media manager, or the
defensive coordinator, like you feel like you're a part of
something like that team. You know, there's a level of
pride that comes with you. You know, you you hold
your your head a little higher. You're like, oh, I'm
this and I get to represent this. Yeah, it's it's exciting.
(25:04):
It's really cool. Do you ever miss it? I missed
parts of it. I miss the fan interact. The fan
interaction was probably my favorite. I loved meeting our fans
and the super fans. They were just you know, the
Ravens have Let's be honest, they are the best fans
in the NFL. There's no question. I love the Titans.
I love Washington. I was raised a Washington fan. My
(25:27):
dad is still a fan. But um, but there's nothing
like our fans. But then I think about our practice
schedule and how incredibly demanding. It is both the time
commitment and and the physical toll it takes. You know,
it is it is not easy, you know what we
put our bodies through, And especially with Washington, Like when
(25:48):
I was dating Mike, before we got engaged, before we
get married, we didn't get out of practice until like
eleven PM, and then driving back from Landover, I would
get home at midnight and he's already asleep, and then
he'd wake up at five am to go to work,
and you know, we we would pass like ships in
the night. So it was I don't miss that. That
was probably the hardest part about it was just how
(26:08):
what a commitment it was. And there's events in the
games and it's a lot. It's a big time commit
which I don't think people realize, and then people are
juggling full time jobs on top of this, like it's crazy.
Like imagine you leave her work and you don't get
to go home. You go to practice, but all your
best friends aren't practice and you're doing what you love,
like it's it's fun, but it's also you know, you're
(26:29):
not getting home until midnight, and then you have to
wake up for work the next day. I'm thirty four
too old for that. Now. Well, I shouldn't say that
because I don't know if you if you know Mima,
we call her mama. Her name is Jamie, but she
it's her. I think I want to say it's her
seventeenth season. We called her mama when I was cheering,
and that was back in like she's just you know,
she was the oldest one on the team then and
(26:52):
and but the thing is, I love all the cheerleaders,
they're amazing, but she's the best one. She really is.
She's so talented. And you know, I still see your
in the stands and I'm like, great. To be able
to sustain that kind of schedule for that long, it's incredible.
It's it's wild. So yeah, it's it's hard to step away.
But once you're away and you're like, I don't miss
(27:14):
that practice. Sometimes I think like, oh, it would be
like to have weekends, I don't know, right, yeah, holidays,
I know, I know, Oh my gosh, poor Mike man.
It's so funny people. I mean, we're hosting for Thanksgiving
because we can't go going anywhere. We can't go anywhere,
like even if we wanted to, like sorry, we can't
come to you, but I'm so excited to host. We
(27:35):
have like twelve people coming for Thanksgiving, so it's gonna
be fun. It's a lot, it's a lot. It's a lot.
I'm a little stressed, you know, just buying food for
that many people. It's a lot of food. But no,
I mean, my in laws are awesome and they're they're
all coming for the game. It's gonna be a fun week.
Such as the life. And your son's a defensive coordinator,
you gotta go where he is. Even my parents are
(27:58):
the same way, like, if you want to see me
for holidays, you're coming to Baltimore to all my flock
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(28:19):
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one more time, that's winning drive dot com and your
code is Holiday fifteen. So let's go back to the beginning.
(28:42):
How did you and Mike originally meet? Um, so we
you know, we were both part of the part of
the Ravens and as one of those things where we
just met in passing and I didn't realize he was
a coach. This is just like out in Baltimore, and
I didn't realize that he was a coach until a
little bit, like we started talking and I'm like, we
can't do this, and I'm like, because this was in
(29:04):
October of my last year, which was twenty fifteen, it
was my last year cheering for the Ravens. And he
was like, oh, well, maybe i'll catch up with you
after the season's over. And sure enough, like he caught
up with me when the season ended, and and I'm
glad he did, because you know, here we are six
years later, and so I think, correct me if I'm wrong,
(29:25):
but I believe you guys kind of start dating once
you're at the Commanders and he's kind of, you know,
building his coaching career here. So you know the old
adages that like young coaches, especially in the NFL, it's
kind of seven job and they don't have time for anything,
So how do you date when you're about It was
so crazy. So actually when we started dating right after
(29:47):
I left the ravens um in like March um, so
I wasn't with the commanders yet, thank god, because we
had like six months to kind of just date. And
then mid July to that in sixteen, He's he would
leave on a Monday morning and he'd be like, all right,
I'll see you Thursday. And I'm like, oh, oh, that's what. Okay,
(30:07):
this is different, Like this is not a normal relationship,
you know. And and that's one of the toughest parts.
Like I'm lucky that he's awesome, and then I love
him so much because I don't know if I would
do this for anybody else, you know. And that's another thing,
like with coaches in the NFL, it's it takes someone
with an incredible amount of patience to be able to
(30:29):
just be okay with that and being okay being on
your own a lot of the time. I'd imagine, exactly,
how do you guys kind of prioritize the two of
you when you do have time. That's a really good question.
You know. It's it's different now that we're now that
we're older and we have a house and we have
a dog, you know, because most of the time doesn't
(30:50):
go to me or him, It just goes to Bruce,
and he just wants to play with Bruce all the time.
And it's what is Bruce need? Does do? We want
to take him outside and you know, let's take him
the water and great dog parents. Yeah, So mostly it's
just become about Bruce. But now it's it's nice like
Friday nights, we have time to ourselves because that's the
one night that he actually can be home at a
(31:11):
decent hours. So we've started this this tradition we'll do
steak and pie on Friday nights. I love that. Yeah.
Do you know Corey Krawick, he lives with us, No way,
Yeah that so he officiated our wedding. That's incredible. He
and Mike were roommates before he and I even met.
They were roommates because Corey was I don't know if
he was an interner. He had just got gotten started
with the Ravens around this he was his first year.
(31:32):
It was Mike's first year they were roommates and then
I came in the picture and we were just all
like really good friends. Yeah. So, for those that don't know,
Corey is on the player personnel side here at the
Ravens and does analytics on Eric Acosta's team. So yeah,
So when Corey found out we were moving back to Baltimore,
he went up to John and he's like, I feel
like I'm getting my family back. And John was like,
(31:53):
I didn't realize you guys were that close, and Corey's like,
I officiated their wedding. It's pretty close. So he's your
official third wheel after Bruce then official, Yeah it's Bruce
and then it's Corey. Yeah, there's actually now we're talking
about your wedding. There's so many Ravens connections there, obviously,
and you even had our team photographers Sean Hubbard and
Joy Pulone take photos of your way. I'm like, how
(32:16):
many levels of these connections can we get? At this point,
I was so grateful for Sean. He used to shoot
our swimsuit calendar with the Ravens um So when we
would go to like Jamaica and everything for swimsuit calendars,
he would come with us and and shooting, and I
knew his work was just second to none. He's the best.
(32:36):
And there was something that happened we needed a photographer
last minute, like two weeks before. I way, you know,
I'm I'm asking him for recommendations, just recommendations, because you know,
we were closed. Like I knew him. So I'm like,
is there anybody you you would recommend? He's like, well,
let me double check, and he sent me some people
and then he goes, um, did any of those work out?
And I'm like, I think one of them might and
(32:57):
he said, oh dang, Because for a second there I
was thinking I would do it. And I'm like, oh
my gosh, like everything else, name your price, let's let's
do it. I was so excited when he said yes.
And you know, we just have the same relationship with God,
like he's he's such a man of faith. So for
people that don't know, Sean used to do a lot
(33:17):
of weddings and he has since retired because he's so
and such high demand for all his other projects. That
is really kind of a big deal that he felt
so called to shoot for you guys, which is really awesome.
That's why this was such a big deal is because
he doesn't do that anymore, and he has turned people
down and weddings, like wedding photography is a ton of work,
like it's a big commitment. The pictures, oh my gosh, incredible.
(33:38):
I'm sure they're so amazing. He I'm just I'm so
grateful for him. I can't express that enough. He's incredible.
Kind of talking about the Ravens family here and the
extension of that is the Hardball family at this point.
And you guys have been with both Hardball families at
this point, Jim and John. So do you guys feel
like your honorary Hardballs like you might as well be
(34:01):
part of the family. Oh my gosh, I mean, what
an honor right there, you know, from the top down,
Like you know, I'm thinking about Jack and Jackie and
just what incredible humans they are, because they were just
they were so kind and warm and welcoming in Michigan,
and I was sad to leave them. Um, they're a
(34:21):
round the fair amount here too, like oh I know, yeah,
but you know, they were just such a presence at
Michigan and and they just have such good hearts and
I just I love them so much. And but yeah,
you know, being able to work with Jim and Sarah
of Sarah Sarah's amazing and and yeah, coming back, and
I took Bruce over to uh Ingrid's house a few
(34:43):
weeks ago. And they have a little puppy too, right, Hank. Yeah,
so cute. Bruce and Hank are good friends. No, I
love that. That's awesome puppy dates. So they had so
much fun just running around. And when I interviewed Mike
when he came back, I pitched to my superior as
this idea got mixed, but I really wanted to do
a segment that was like John or Jim and asked
him a bunch of questions. I was like, which one
(35:04):
would you pick? John or Jim? I snuck one into
the interview, and I think it was like who has
the best like inspirational quotes or something like that, because
they both have their like one liners that they go to.
And he was smart. He said, I'll go with my
current boss and picked John him. Yeah, that's probably in
your best it's probably you know what, it makes the
decisions now. But I love that. It's just neat. Yeah,
(35:24):
but yes, we do feel like Honorary Harp. It's great,
and they do. I think like it's kind of from
the top down there, even with Steve, you know, like
making this organization feel like a family. Alright, I have
one last thing for you here. It's a little purple
hot seat just this or that, So Michigan win or
Ravens win. Now that we're back with the Ravens. With
Ravens win, you kind already answered this one. But cheering
(35:46):
in a game or watching my coach, it's stressful watching him.
It is cheering. It's so stressful. I love Mike so
much and I will watch every single play, but cheering
is way more fun. That's fair. And your favorite memory
as a Ravens cheerleader, Oh man, I think representing the
at the Pro Bowls. That's incredible, by far my favorite
(36:09):
my Pro bowler. It was a man, it was an incredible,
incredible experience. And yeah, I was just I was grateful
that my my teammates wanted me to go, and I
was proud to represent him. You know, because you think about,
you know, all the players in the NFL, like how
many how many players are the Ravens gonna send? Like
(36:31):
the cheerleaders only send one. That's very true. There's only
thirty two every year, and you can say that you're
a pro bowler, which the average person cannot say. Thank
you special. Yeah, Mike can't even say that, you know, Nope, nope,
he got to coach this one pro bowler in this
family technically you know, pro Bowl coach, but proboer to.
That's awesome. Well, thank you so much for coming in.
(36:52):
I really appreciate it. Oh my gosh, this was so
much fun. Thank you so much for having me. This
was amazing. Like I said at the top, I really
enjoyed getting to know Steph. Mike has beloved in this
organization and has really risen to the top by doing
things just the right way and being really really talented,
and yet Steph is somehow still clearly his better half.
I think I need to be adopted into this family.
(37:15):
Watching Mike's defense this season has been so fun, and
one of the newest pieces of his defense, Roquan Smith,
has been exactly as advertised and honestly better. He is
just the nicest guy. I was grabbing breakfast one morning
about a week after he signed, and he stopped me
just to introduce himself. I mean, who does that? Probably
wondering who the girl with a cell phone was following
him around in New Orleans. But regardless, the next week,
(37:38):
the first Community Monday since he's been here, he was
out at a community events, already giving back to the
Baltimore community. He just seems like a raven you know,
so no pressure front office, but we'd all love to
keep him. Don't forget to leave us a review if
you're enjoying the podcast. Shout out to tie Us Bowser's mom, Sonia,
a former guest, for leaving an awesome review. So be
(37:58):
like Sonia's subscribe until all your friends. I'll talk to
you soon. M m hm
What is up, everybody. I've got to say one of
the coolest parts of hosting a podcast is getting the
chance to sit down with people that I selfishly just
want to get to know myself, and getting to share
these really cool people with you. Stephanie or Steph McDonald
is a great example of that. We have mutual friends,
which we'll get into, but I've just always heard the
(00:29):
best things about her, So what better way to finally
meet her than to have her on the Purple Chair Podcast.
She's a former Ravens Titans and Commander's NFL cheerleader and
oh yeah, by the way, she's also married to our
first year defensive coordinator Mike McDonald. Because she's been a
part of multiple franchises, including this one in now multiple ways,
(00:51):
Steph has a really interesting perspective on the most inner
workings of the NFL, so let's dive in. So personally,
I'm really I had to have you on because I
feel like for years we have a good mutual friend
Travis on the coaching staff, so every I'm always taking
Mike and stuff, Mike and stuff and stuff. I've never
met you, so this is great for me to finally
meet you in person. I've always heard such great things.
(01:12):
Oh my gosh, you're so sweet. Thank you know, Travis awesome,
we've been I mean we've been friends for a long time.
So yeah, he's great. You guys go way back when
Mike was hired back in January as a defensive coordinator,
actually interviewed him. Did like his first little one on
one when he came back, and I remember that. So
it's full circle now that I have both members of
the family. But we recapped just like the crazy year
(01:35):
that you guys have had. You got married, He gets
a DC job at Michigan, you know, takes Michigan, helps
take Michigan to the Big Ten championship, which is awesome,
then gets hired back here as Ravens defensive coordinators. So
what has the past year of life been like for
you guys? It has been the most beautiful, crazy, chaotic,
you know, blessing. We're just so blessed. I mean when
(01:57):
when Mike got the job at Michigan, I was pumped.
I'm like, let's go. But it was one of the
craziest times in our life because we were we were
still planning a wedding. He was living at Michigan, and
I was trying to sell our house in Baltimore. We lived.
We had a nice, little, acute, little row home in Canton,
so I was trying to sell that and we have
a dog, and I was still working full time and
(02:20):
it was just it was crazy. And then we bought
a house, so it's trying to move, you know, planning
a move, planning the wedding. And then I never saw
him because he's working all the time. So that was crazy. Um.
And then it's funny because I sing for this church
in Timonium and there's like it's it's a worship band.
(02:41):
It's awesome. I just I love it so much. But
I started with them before we left to go to Michigan,
and we just had one of the best years of
our lives in Michigan. Michigan was incredible. Um. But I
remember before we left, I was hugging one of the
girls at church and she's like, I have this weird
feeling you'll be back, and she knew you, and I'm like,
maybe like years down the road next year. No, I
(03:05):
never thought that we would be back as soon as
we were. I mean, the whole past year just feels
like a blur. But it. It was. It was incredible.
I'm sure, were you able to do any sort of
like honeymoon after the wedding or was it kind of
like we're off to Michigan full steam hub So we
Mike surprised me because I I did of the planning
for the wedding, so I'm doing that right now. You are.
(03:27):
Oh my gosh, it's crazy. So I said, you can
play the honeymoon. And I wanted to be a surprise.
Don't tell me where we're going, like I want to
be surprised, And so he picked Hawaii and he kept
it a secret too. He didn't tell me. I didn't
find out until like the day we left. And it
was amazing. Um. So we spent like fourteen days in Hawaii.
We did Kauaide, and we did Maui. But it was
(03:48):
funny because you know, we're over in Paradise, and with
with college coaching, you're recruiting all the time. So even
in Paradise, he's still taking recruiting calls. We're on like
a boat together and he's like taking a recruiting call
on this boat. No. I I think I saw like
a picture of um, like a Michigan tea shirt in
(04:09):
Hawaii and it's like, Michigan is everywhere, and I'm like,
this isn't this guy, this's Honnymoon. It's I mean, it
really is everywhere. It's crazy. You see the block m
everywhere you go. And I didn't realize it until we
were there. You know, I went to Virginia chech so
I'm like, oh, Hokeys are everywhere, but Michigan is everywhere.
It's bananas. I honestly feel like I didn't really know
that until I came here. And obviously with the hardball connection,
(04:30):
I feel like I know a lot more about Michigan
football than I ever did before working here. And like
I didn't realize obviously the storied program, but I didn't
really realize how big it is, like nationally, I had
no clue until we went there, and I'm like, oh,
this is a really big deal. It's crazy. So kind
of logistically, what is that process? Like, like, obviously you
(04:50):
added in planning a wedding to all of that, but
kind of like when he gets that job and you
have to move somewhere that maybe you've never even been before, Like, logistically,
how do you go about figuring out where to live
like kind of establishing yourself in this new place too. Yeah,
that was it was. It was tough, but Michigan, like
the people they're just made it so easy. They were
(05:11):
so excited to help. They were super excited to have
Mike on staff, and they had a realtor who helped
us like pick out an area we wanted to live in,
and you know, going to Michigan it was it was
really helpful. And even coming back here, they were you know,
obviously we already have a lot of friends here, We
have a lot of connections here. We had people who
already wanted to help us, so it wasn't as difficult
(05:33):
coming home. But yeah, you're right, like I didn't know
anybody in Michigan, but they just we became a family
so quickly because they were so welcoming. Yeah. So when
this opportunity back in Baltimore arises, is that like an
automatic yes? Or is like there's some discussion there just
because of the fact that you kind of guys had
(05:54):
just gotten to Michigan. We hadn't even lived in Michigan
for a year, less than a full year. We we
bought a house. We wouldn't have bought a house if
we had known we were moving back. Its true. I
mean I thought we were going to be there for
three to five years if we did well, and we
did well. Um, but it just goes to show you
just know, you can't make your own plans. But so
(06:15):
Mike did ask me, Um, He's like, you know, how
would you feel? Is this something? And I was like, yes,
like let's go back, like all our friends are here,
We're closer to family. You know, this is where we met,
this is where we fell in love, and it's you know,
it was a very easy yes for me. Are you
(06:36):
from this area? Originally? I was born in Annapolis and
I went to middle school and high school and Fredericksburg, Virginia,
So like the d m V, so it is like
kind of close to home. Then oh yeah, that's awesome.
So you guys come back to Baltimore. The draft rolls around,
and I just remember like feeling like it was so
meant to be. When the Ravens selected David A. Jabo,
I just had like chill, I like, how cool is this?
(06:59):
Like obviously he was a big part of mike success
in Michigan, and then to have him back here, obviously
we're hoping he's getting on the field very soon here.
So what was that kind of like I never thought
that we would get him, just because he is so talented,
and it was it was meant to be, You're right,
Like when we when we picked him, I just I
(07:21):
lost it. I was I was about to cry, Like
I was just so excited because you know, to think
about his background and and how late in life he
started shorting football. You know, he just had such an
incredible year and Mike and I were so proud of him,
and now to see it come full circle and Mike
still gets to be his coach, Like that's pretty cool.
I feel like football is so special in that way,
(07:42):
like when you see these things come full circle, like
both Mike coming back here, but then also like him
being able to bring this player that's so special to
him here. Like those are the things that like just
can be chills. You know. I love it. I love that.
So what was the off season like kind of as
you guys were moving back here, He's preparing to be
d C in the NFL and you guys are kind
of getting settled back in Baltimore, it was we're trying
(08:06):
to find a house, you know, because we had to
be back right away. Um, so our realtory was great.
She found us a you know, a temporary place downtown.
But we have a three year old labrador and he
doesn't really belong in a condo in the city anymore
where are so we were trying. I mean, the biggest
thing was we just have to find a yard, you know,
(08:26):
we have to find a house for our dogs. So
we didn't move into our house until August. So it
was just, you know, a very temporary kind of lifestyle.
Like all our stuff was in storage. So obviously, you
know Michigan, there are a lot of eyeballs. It's a
big national program, like we talked about. But what's I
would imagine. I guess I'll say that, like the scrutinty
(08:48):
here is a lot higher, especially as a first year
defensive coordinator. So how have you seen my kind of
handle that? I guess. Yeah, you're right, he's under a microscope.
But it was bad at Michigan in like, we were
definitely under a microscope at Michigan. But here, you know,
you have to think about he's one of thirty two
and that's it. You know, he's got to be on
(09:09):
and it's his first year, so obviously there's you know,
he said he's learned so much already. But I was
thinking about that on my way here. It's better that
he's in this position and not me because I I
have high highs and I've got low lows, and um,
when things are good, I'm just so excited, and then
when things are not good, I'm like, oh man, the
world is falling apart. But with him, I remember asking
(09:33):
him before his game, like before his first game, and like,
how do you feel? Like are you excited? Are you nervous?
Like how do you feel? And He's like, straight face,
I feel good. I'm like, of course, of course, just
like so level headed, cool as a cucumber, just like
going into it and um. And he was even telling
me like at the games, like there's you know, fireworks,
(09:55):
there's stuff going on, there's fans screaming, and he hears
none of it. Like all he thinks about is like
the play that's going on. And I'm like, like laser focus. Yeah,
I'm like, how do you do that? How can you?
How can your brain turn all of this off? And
uh yeah, So I think he handles it really well.
And we're off social media, like we don't. We don't
(10:16):
do that anymore, which is a blessing because I feel
like everybody, especially Twitter, like people can just they just
want to fire everyone every day. Sure it's crazy, Like okay,
well then you try doing this. It's it's not easy. Yeah,
And it's interesting because like from the outsider's perspective, like
he does seem really even killed, And I guess you
(10:36):
never know, like if someone's actually that way, but I
kind of feel like it kind of takes that almost
to be that successful in this kind of role. Like
I feel like Hardball is also really good at like
kind of compartmentalizing and that way, Like there's so many
things going on that you kind of have to be
able to do that. Actually had Jackie Hamilton's Kyle's mom
on an episode and she kind of said the same
thing about him. She's like, I'm emotional, I'm all over
(10:58):
the place, but he's so like if he had a
great game, he's like the same level as if he
maybe had a few plays, he'd like back, you know,
like and I'm the same as you, Like, I'm I'm fiery,
and I'm like on Twitter, I'm like wanting to type
back at people, and I had to put him in
my draftste them after two days when I should probably
not say that, But I did want to talk to
you about social media because, like I actually noticed that.
(11:19):
So I noticed that when you were at Michigan. I
did some backstalking when I was disclosure that you were
like more active on Twitter when you guys were at Michigan.
So that was kind of like a conscious choice you
made to not partake at this point. Yeah, it's funny.
I I'm not sure why I have taken a step back,
but ever since we moved back and he's gotten this
(11:41):
big role, and I just I feel like it's kind
of nice to protect your privacy a little bit more. Um,
it's kind of a peaceful thing. It's kind of a
peaceful thing to imagine it would be. Yeah, just you know,
not seeing the and I thought I was when I
was at Michigan. You're right, I tweeted a lot more
and is more active, and and I thought I did
(12:02):
a pretty good job responding to the people who might
not have had the nicest comment. But you know, it's
just another thing in the NFL. I'm like, yeah, I
just I'm I'm past that point. I'm kind of exhausted
over that. That's fair. I will say, I feel like
everything is very positive and like I know that can
always change, but I do think that there's just like
(12:22):
level of love, especially for defense, you know from Ravens
fans that I think is really cool here, and there
is that like level of respect that's just always been
like this organization's forte, you know, so it is cool
to see him kind of like leading the charge on
that now when it's also i mean there's there's high
expectations when it con presents defense. Yeah, it's it's not
(12:42):
coming and they'll take care of it, like you have
to take care of this is your baby now. And
it's like most organizations, you know, people would say that
about the offense. I think here is the one place
that like defense is truly the bread and butter. Obviously
have a great offense. Now I'm not saying that we don't,
but like that's just what this place is known for,
you know, exactly. That is a that's a lot of responsibility.
(13:03):
I'm sure, what do you think has been the biggest difference.
I guess kind of being at the collegiate level, I
guess for a short time versus the NFL. That's a
good question, probably just the amount of time off that
he gets, because in college there's you know, even when
you're quote unquote off, you're still recruiting. The recruiting just
never ends. So it's you know, calling people like we
(13:26):
had um there was a seven pm night game we played,
i think the University of Washington last year, and his
mom came in town for that game, and you know,
she was thinking we'd get to spend a lot of
time with him, and the whole day it's just like
you got you know, he's at breakfast and then he's
the facility and he's doing this, and you know, you
(13:47):
just don't get to spend as much time with him
like when he's off, he's off here in the NFL,
which is it's it's a blessing. Yeah, I guess, like
it's it's kind of counterintuitive. You would almost think the
NFL would be worse, but you know, players sign here,
they're they're coming, you know, like they don't really have
a choice or not. Maybe free agency. There's like a
smidge of recruiting that goes on, but at the end
(14:10):
of the day, you kind of know who you've got
and they're going where the money is coming from, Like
you're not trying to convince them too. That's interesting but them.
But I will say about college, it's I mean, the
experience in the Big House is I don't get me wrong,
I love love love M ANDT Bank Stadium. Like I
cheered here and and I know our fans are incredible,
(14:32):
but there's something there's something to be said about the
Big House at Michigan. Just dred and ten thousands fans
and and then they play Pump it Up and you know,
you just lose your mind. It's so it was so
much fun. I feel like with colleges people have that
like personal connection to like obviously people have personal connection
(14:52):
to the Ravens, but when it's your alma mater, it's
so different, and that kind of elevates the game environment.
I feel like absolutely absolutely. As he's kind of like
finding his identity as the defensive coordinator here being in
his first year, how do you kind of find your
own niche I guess, for lack of a better word,
coming back here, re establishing yourself here and also like
(15:13):
being his spouse. Yeah, well that's that's another reason why
I'm so grateful. For the church that I sang at.
They were my first text when it's incredible I got
his job. I was like, hey, Joe, do you still
need me? You can't replace me yet, did you? And
and he said come on back, like when when can
you start? I'll send you the songs. So just to
have that family, it's it's just it's really I'm so
(15:36):
grateful for them, um that they let me come back.
And one of the singers was even telling me over
the summer, he said, you're not just Mike's wife, you
know here at church, you're you're Stephanie. You're you're the
girl who sings at church, and he's Stephanie's husband exactly exactly.
He did come to mass a couple of weeks ago, um,
and it was really cute. Our father White was so
(15:58):
excited to see him. And but he, you know, he's
at by himself. And but I'm like people, you know,
they recognize you now you can't hide as easily as
you But it's great that you have that outlet for
like your own you know, expression in that way exactly well.
And a lot of people don't don't even know that
Mike's my husband. Um, I think people are starting to learn.
(16:20):
But yeah, most people are just like, oh yes, Stephanie.
You know I love when you're saying. I'm like, thank you. Awesome.
So what does the Sunday look like for you? Then?
So it's staying in church and then are you high
tailing it down to Mt Bank Stadium. It's Sundays are
crazy and a lot of times the times I'm hosting,
so I've got family and Terry and I'm like, hey,
(16:41):
good luck. You know, I'll see there. I don't know
how you're getting in the game, but good luck. Because
I have to be at church. We have sound check
at eight in the morning. We have our first mass
starts at nine am, and our second mass starts at
so I don't get out of there until like mass
doesn't end until so putting in a little, I've got
a little over an hour to change and get to
(17:03):
the game and hopefully make it in time for kickoff.
And I've just I've missed it, but like this much.
There was one game where we had a touchdown in
like the first five seconds. I can't remember what game
that was, but anyway, I'm like those with Devin Dune. Yeah,
I missed it. Walking up to the press box, so
you weren't the only one. Yeah, I'm like, well, if
we already scored this amazing. So I actually want to
(17:25):
go back to pre Mike because I don't know the
stats on this, actually, but i'd have to imagine that
of all the spouses of defensive coordinators and NFL, you're
probably the only one that's also a former cheerleader of
that organization. So that's so unique, and I feel like
you must have kind of a different perspective on the
organization because you were a part of it even pre him. Yeah, yeah,
(17:48):
I mean I made the team before he even thought
about coaching in the NFL, like I was. I. I
made the team in two thousand thirteen. I had cheered
for the Titans for two years before. Oh I didn't
realize that. Yeah, I cheered for the Titans for two years.
That was my first team, and then moved to Baltimore
and I made the team and I was so so excited.
(18:10):
And Mike didn't come until two thousand fourteen. That was
his his um. I was almost about to say rookie
year kind of. He was an intern. He was a
coaching intern. But yeah, we didn't know each other at all,
And of course there's you know, you're not allowed to
fraternize with players, coaches, or staff. So like I knew
the rules and I didn't try anything. I didn't even
(18:30):
know who he was. But looking back, it's crazy because
I went to the Pro Bowl in two thousand fourteen.
It was my Pro Bowl year. It was two thousand
fifteen was the year that the Ravens coaches all went
to the Pro Bowl. So we were both in Phoenix
at the same time. It's crazy, and we just had
no idea until. I feel like that's like in a movie,
you know, where like the people cross pass like earlier
(18:52):
in their life and then like later it comes back
and they realized there at the same place. That's so cool.
I love that. So you also cheered for the Commanders, correct, Yeah,
So three teams? So what sticks out to you kind
of about your career. Oh gosh, I just you know,
after eight years in the NFL, um every team is
so completely different and they all have different expectations and
(19:12):
different things. Like I stunted with the Ravens. I didn't
stunt on on the Titans or Washington. You know, those
were both very heavily danced teams. I went to the
Pro Bowl with the Ravens, so that was incredible. But
then when I was with Washington, I did I think
I did four military tours overseas. I went to I
don't even know how many countries we went to, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Kuwait, Bahrain.
(19:37):
Where else did we go? De Booty, Honduras? Like I
was crazy? That was probably one of the most rewarding
experiences of my life to bring a piece of home
to our service men and women. But but yeah, it was.
It was I'm so glad that I got to do that,
and I made the best friends that I could ever
(19:57):
I could ever dream of. So you mentioned earlier that
you sing for a church, but you also saying the
national anthem when you were with the Commanders, Right, yep,
how does that come about? That's incredible? Like what Ravens? Hello? No,
I actually have a good friend who sings for a
lot of the Ravens games. Um, yeah, Jamie Saville, She's cool.
She's yeah, one of my best friends. But um, she
(20:18):
ever needs. It's funny because I actually when I was
singing at church, she subbed for me last weekend. Yeah,
so I I still sing at this church. But Mike
and I went to Michigan for the bye week and
I was like, hey, Jamie, like, can you fill in that?
But yeah, I've been singing my whole life, and um,
it's one of those things that with Washington. They when
when we did the military tours, singing was part of
(20:39):
our performance. So we would perform for the troops, like
we had the whole show that we would do, and
they asked me to sing for the show. It's really cool,
and I said, you know, I can also I know
all the words to the national anthem, might be happy
to do that. So so I auditioned and I got
to do that a couple of times and it was
just incredible, you know. And there was one game we
had a fly over that was amazing because you know,
(21:00):
anytime you can have a flyovers really being DC like
that's just a little extra special there. Oh yeah, that's awesome.
So how did you get into cheerleading? Initially, my mom
put me in cheerleading when I was five because she
wanted me to learn how to spell. To spell oh yeah,
you know like sounded the yes. Yeah. Anyway, so she
(21:22):
that's why she put me in it. Initially, but I
just fell in love with the sport. You know, I
wanted to do tumbling. I wanted to stunt. I wanted
to get thrown in the air. You know, that's it's fun.
It's so much fun. And she tried other sports with me,
you know, she tried soccer and stuff, and then I'm
just doing cartwheels. So she's like, I don't think that.
I don't think this is the right sport for her.
And I know obviously you guys have both been at
(21:43):
the same Ravens games, But has Mike ever gotten to
see you cheer just as a fan? Yes, yes, Mike
has seen me cheer my rookie season. I can't remember
the exact game, but I think we played the Vikings
and the Ravens had a bye week, so he got
to um watched me cheer. And it was so cute
because I'm on the sideline doing my things. This is
(22:05):
at the Commander, this isn't Washington yet, so I'm down
on the sideline, I'm cheering, doing my thing, and and
he finds me and I see him in the stands
and it was the cutest thing. He's holding up his
phone and he's he's looking at his phone, waving, trying
to take the video and wave and he doesn't stop waving.
He just keeps on waving, and I'm like, it was
(22:28):
just it was so adorable. I love that he was
as excited for me to have my thing as I
am for him to have his dream job. I mean,
this is his dream job, you know. And cheering that
was that was my dream, Like I always wanted to
cheer in the NFL. I got to cheer for three
different teams for eight years, Like it was a dream
come true. Do you think games are more or less
(22:50):
stressful watching my coach versus you cheering on the sidelines
watching my coach? For sure, I'm helpless. I'm a helpless fan.
I I'm with I'm with the fan base. I'm just
as helpless as everyone else, you know. And you're watching
it and your heart is down there and you know
you want him to do so well, So there is
a different It's not fun watching games anymore. It's just
(23:13):
not fun. It's I was talking angried about this. She
watches without the sound. Really, she turns the sound off,
so I try. It's weird. I don't. I can't do it.
It is a stressful way to watch. But when I'm cheering,
you know, I I trust my skills. I know what
I can do, and I've practiced that, and I go
out there and I execute, and you can control it exactly. Yeah,
(23:35):
watching without sound is interesting because I do feel like
it would be hard to hear like criticism of like
your spouse, you know, or like even praise sometimes, you know.
But that's I feel like I would kind of zone
out if I wouldn't like listening to it, you know,
would be harder to Yeah, that's interesting. I thought about that.
How did you kind of make the decision that you
did want to step away? This was so I I
(23:58):
cheered for Washington for three years. My last year was
which was kind of perfect timing because happened and then
everything was crazy and you know, are they even cheering
for games? Like do we even have a team? So
after I'm like, Okay, I'm definitely not coming back. But
it was it was tough. It was a tough decision
just because it's easy to get sucked back in. You know,
(24:22):
all your friends are there and and you get to
cheer on game day. You you you get to put
on the superhero uniform and represent something bigger than yourself.
It's yeah. I feel like a lot of people, even
like business side here, have a hard time like when
they leave, you know, for another job, because like a
normal job, you don't feel like you're a part of
(24:43):
something bigger than yourself. You know. And I think like
whether you're a cheerleader, you're social media manager, or the
defensive coordinator, like you feel like you're a part of
something like that team. You know, there's a level of
pride that comes with you. You know, you you hold
your your head a little higher. You're like, oh, I'm
this and I get to represent this. Yeah, it's it's exciting.
(25:04):
It's really cool. Do you ever miss it? I missed
parts of it. I miss the fan interact. The fan
interaction was probably my favorite. I loved meeting our fans
and the super fans. They were just you know, the
Ravens have Let's be honest, they are the best fans
in the NFL. There's no question. I love the Titans.
I love Washington. I was raised a Washington fan. My
(25:27):
dad is still a fan. But um, but there's nothing
like our fans. But then I think about our practice
schedule and how incredibly demanding. It is both the time
commitment and and the physical toll it takes. You know,
it is it is not easy, you know what we
put our bodies through, And especially with Washington, Like when
(25:48):
I was dating Mike, before we got engaged, before we
get married, we didn't get out of practice until like
eleven PM, and then driving back from Landover, I would
get home at midnight and he's already asleep, and then
he'd wake up at five am to go to work,
and you know, we we would pass like ships in
the night. So it was I don't miss that. That
was probably the hardest part about it was just how
(26:08):
what a commitment it was. And there's events in the
games and it's a lot. It's a big time commit
which I don't think people realize, and then people are
juggling full time jobs on top of this, like it's crazy.
Like imagine you leave her work and you don't get
to go home. You go to practice, but all your
best friends aren't practice and you're doing what you love,
like it's it's fun, but it's also you know, you're
(26:29):
not getting home until midnight, and then you have to
wake up for work the next day. I'm thirty four
too old for that. Now. Well, I shouldn't say that
because I don't know if you if you know Mima,
we call her mama. Her name is Jamie, but she
it's her. I think I want to say it's her
seventeenth season. We called her mama when I was cheering,
and that was back in like she's just you know,
she was the oldest one on the team then and
(26:52):
and but the thing is, I love all the cheerleaders,
they're amazing, but she's the best one. She really is.
She's so talented. And you know, I still see your
in the stands and I'm like, great. To be able
to sustain that kind of schedule for that long, it's incredible.
It's it's wild. So yeah, it's it's hard to step away.
But once you're away and you're like, I don't miss
(27:14):
that practice. Sometimes I think like, oh, it would be
like to have weekends, I don't know, right, yeah, holidays,
I know, I know, Oh my gosh, poor Mike man.
It's so funny people. I mean, we're hosting for Thanksgiving
because we can't go going anywhere. We can't go anywhere,
like even if we wanted to, like sorry, we can't
come to you, but I'm so excited to host. We
(27:35):
have like twelve people coming for Thanksgiving, so it's gonna
be fun. It's a lot, it's a lot. It's a lot.
I'm a little stressed, you know, just buying food for
that many people. It's a lot of food. But no,
I mean, my in laws are awesome and they're they're
all coming for the game. It's gonna be a fun week.
Such as the life. And your son's a defensive coordinator,
you gotta go where he is. Even my parents are
(27:58):
the same way, like, if you want to see me
for holidays, you're coming to Baltimore to all my flock
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(28:19):
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code is Holiday fifteen. So let's go back to the beginning.
(28:42):
How did you and Mike originally meet? Um, so we
you know, we were both part of the part of
the Ravens and as one of those things where we
just met in passing and I didn't realize he was
a coach. This is just like out in Baltimore, and
I didn't realize that he was a coach until a
little bit, like we started talking and I'm like, we
can't do this, and I'm like, because this was in
(29:04):
October of my last year, which was twenty fifteen, it
was my last year cheering for the Ravens. And he
was like, oh, well, maybe i'll catch up with you
after the season's over. And sure enough, like he caught
up with me when the season ended, and and I'm
glad he did, because you know, here we are six
years later, and so I think, correct me if I'm wrong,
(29:25):
but I believe you guys kind of start dating once
you're at the Commanders and he's kind of, you know,
building his coaching career here. So you know the old
adages that like young coaches, especially in the NFL, it's
kind of seven job and they don't have time for anything,
So how do you date when you're about It was
so crazy. So actually when we started dating right after
(29:47):
I left the ravens um in like March um, so
I wasn't with the commanders yet, thank god, because we
had like six months to kind of just date. And
then mid July to that in sixteen, He's he would
leave on a Monday morning and he'd be like, all right,
I'll see you Thursday. And I'm like, oh, oh, that's what. Okay,
(30:07):
this is different, Like this is not a normal relationship,
you know. And and that's one of the toughest parts.
Like I'm lucky that he's awesome, and then I love
him so much because I don't know if I would
do this for anybody else, you know. And that's another thing,
like with coaches in the NFL, it's it takes someone
with an incredible amount of patience to be able to
(30:29):
just be okay with that and being okay being on
your own a lot of the time. I'd imagine, exactly,
how do you guys kind of prioritize the two of
you when you do have time. That's a really good question.
You know. It's it's different now that we're now that
we're older and we have a house and we have
a dog, you know, because most of the time doesn't
(30:50):
go to me or him, It just goes to Bruce,
and he just wants to play with Bruce all the time.
And it's what is Bruce need? Does do? We want
to take him outside and you know, let's take him
the water and great dog parents. Yeah, So mostly it's
just become about Bruce. But now it's it's nice like
Friday nights, we have time to ourselves because that's the
one night that he actually can be home at a
(31:11):
decent hours. So we've started this this tradition we'll do
steak and pie on Friday nights. I love that. Yeah.
Do you know Corey Krawick, he lives with us, No way,
Yeah that so he officiated our wedding. That's incredible. He
and Mike were roommates before he and I even met.
They were roommates because Corey was I don't know if
he was an interner. He had just got gotten started
with the Ravens around this he was his first year.
(31:32):
It was Mike's first year they were roommates and then
I came in the picture and we were just all
like really good friends. Yeah. So, for those that don't know,
Corey is on the player personnel side here at the
Ravens and does analytics on Eric Acosta's team. So yeah,
So when Corey found out we were moving back to Baltimore,
he went up to John and he's like, I feel
like I'm getting my family back. And John was like,
(31:53):
I didn't realize you guys were that close, and Corey's like,
I officiated their wedding. It's pretty close. So he's your
official third wheel after Bruce then official, Yeah it's Bruce
and then it's Corey. Yeah, there's actually now we're talking
about your wedding. There's so many Ravens connections there, obviously,
and you even had our team photographers Sean Hubbard and
Joy Pulone take photos of your way. I'm like, how
(32:16):
many levels of these connections can we get? At this point,
I was so grateful for Sean. He used to shoot
our swimsuit calendar with the Ravens um So when we
would go to like Jamaica and everything for swimsuit calendars,
he would come with us and and shooting, and I
knew his work was just second to none. He's the best.
(32:36):
And there was something that happened we needed a photographer
last minute, like two weeks before. I way, you know,
I'm I'm asking him for recommendations, just recommendations, because you know,
we were closed. Like I knew him. So I'm like,
is there anybody you you would recommend? He's like, well,
let me double check, and he sent me some people
and then he goes, um, did any of those work out?
And I'm like, I think one of them might and
(32:57):
he said, oh dang, Because for a second there I
was thinking I would do it. And I'm like, oh
my gosh, like everything else, name your price, let's let's
do it. I was so excited when he said yes.
And you know, we just have the same relationship with God,
like he's he's such a man of faith. So for
people that don't know, Sean used to do a lot
(33:17):
of weddings and he has since retired because he's so
and such high demand for all his other projects. That
is really kind of a big deal that he felt
so called to shoot for you guys, which is really awesome.
That's why this was such a big deal is because
he doesn't do that anymore, and he has turned people
down and weddings, like wedding photography is a ton of work,
like it's a big commitment. The pictures, oh my gosh, incredible.
(33:38):
I'm sure they're so amazing. He I'm just I'm so
grateful for him. I can't express that enough. He's incredible.
Kind of talking about the Ravens family here and the
extension of that is the Hardball family at this point.
And you guys have been with both Hardball families at
this point, Jim and John. So do you guys feel
like your honorary Hardballs like you might as well be
(34:01):
part of the family. Oh my gosh, I mean, what
an honor right there, you know, from the top down,
Like you know, I'm thinking about Jack and Jackie and
just what incredible humans they are, because they were just
they were so kind and warm and welcoming in Michigan,
and I was sad to leave them. Um, they're a
(34:21):
round the fair amount here too, like oh I know, yeah,
but you know, they were just such a presence at
Michigan and and they just have such good hearts and
I just I love them so much. And but yeah,
you know, being able to work with Jim and Sarah
of Sarah Sarah's amazing and and yeah, coming back, and
I took Bruce over to uh Ingrid's house a few
(34:43):
weeks ago. And they have a little puppy too, right, Hank. Yeah,
so cute. Bruce and Hank are good friends. No, I
love that. That's awesome puppy dates. So they had so
much fun just running around. And when I interviewed Mike
when he came back, I pitched to my superior as
this idea got mixed, but I really wanted to do
a segment that was like John or Jim and asked
him a bunch of questions. I was like, which one
(35:04):
would you pick? John or Jim? I snuck one into
the interview, and I think it was like who has
the best like inspirational quotes or something like that, because
they both have their like one liners that they go to.
And he was smart. He said, I'll go with my
current boss and picked John him. Yeah, that's probably in
your best it's probably you know what, it makes the
decisions now. But I love that. It's just neat. Yeah,
(35:24):
but yes, we do feel like Honorary Harp. It's great,
and they do. I think like it's kind of from
the top down there, even with Steve, you know, like
making this organization feel like a family. Alright, I have
one last thing for you here. It's a little purple
hot seat just this or that, So Michigan win or
Ravens win. Now that we're back with the Ravens. With
Ravens win, you kind already answered this one. But cheering
(35:46):
in a game or watching my coach, it's stressful watching him.
It is cheering. It's so stressful. I love Mike so
much and I will watch every single play, but cheering
is way more fun. That's fair. And your favorite memory
as a Ravens cheerleader, Oh man, I think representing the
at the Pro Bowls. That's incredible, by far my favorite
(36:09):
my Pro bowler. It was a man, it was an incredible,
incredible experience. And yeah, I was just I was grateful
that my my teammates wanted me to go, and I
was proud to represent him. You know, because you think about,
you know, all the players in the NFL, like how
many how many players are the Ravens gonna send? Like
(36:31):
the cheerleaders only send one. That's very true. There's only
thirty two every year, and you can say that you're
a pro bowler, which the average person cannot say. Thank
you special. Yeah, Mike can't even say that, you know, Nope, nope,
he got to coach this one pro bowler in this
family technically you know, pro Bowl coach, but proboer to.
That's awesome. Well, thank you so much for coming in.
(36:52):
I really appreciate it. Oh my gosh, this was so
much fun. Thank you so much for having me. This
was amazing. Like I said at the top, I really
enjoyed getting to know Steph. Mike has beloved in this
organization and has really risen to the top by doing
things just the right way and being really really talented,
and yet Steph is somehow still clearly his better half.
I think I need to be adopted into this family.
(37:15):
Watching Mike's defense this season has been so fun, and
one of the newest pieces of his defense, Roquan Smith,
has been exactly as advertised and honestly better. He is
just the nicest guy. I was grabbing breakfast one morning
about a week after he signed, and he stopped me
just to introduce himself. I mean, who does that? Probably
wondering who the girl with a cell phone was following
him around in New Orleans. But regardless, the next week,
(37:38):
the first Community Monday since he's been here, he was
out at a community events, already giving back to the
Baltimore community. He just seems like a raven you know,
so no pressure front office, but we'd all love to
keep him. Don't forget to leave us a review if
you're enjoying the podcast. Shout out to tie Us Bowser's mom, Sonia,
a former guest, for leaving an awesome review. So be
(37:58):
like Sonia's subscribe until all your friends. I'll talk to
you soon. M m hm
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