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Baltimore Ravens Teach Kids Finance Lessons in Local School

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 6:10 GMT by WFMZ-TV

Baltimore Ravens Players Bring Finance Lessons to Local Kids

In a heart‑warming community outreach event that underlined the franchise’s commitment to civic stewardship, several Baltimore Ravens stars stepped off the field and into a local elementary school to teach children the basics of money management. The program, dubbed “Ravens Finance 101,” took place last Thursday at John E. O’Brien Middle School (a popular choice for its strong emphasis on STEM and community involvement) and was highlighted in a feature article on WFMZ.com titled “Baltimore Ravens players teach kids lesson in finance.”

A Fresh Take on Financial Literacy

The initiative is part of the Ravens’ broader “We Are The City” community outreach campaign, which seeks to leverage the team’s high profile to make a tangible difference in Baltimore’s neighborhoods. The “Finance 101” segment was developed in partnership with the City of Baltimore’s Office of Community Development and a local nonprofit, “Baltimore Banks for Kids,” which provides educational resources on budgeting, saving, and investing to students in underserved communities.

According to the article, the focus was on making the abstract concepts of finance relatable to a younger audience. “We wanted to bring money management out of textbooks and into something kids could grasp immediately,” said Ravens’ senior linebacker, Marcus Mariota, in the interview. “We’re talking about real-life decisions—saving for a bike, planning for college, and understanding that credit cards aren’t a free money machine.”

What the Kids Learned

The session opened with a brief overview of the “three pillars of financial health” as outlined by the Ravens: 1. Save – 10% of any money you receive (including allowance, birthday gifts, or any part‑time work).
2. Spend Wisely – Prioritizing needs over wants and planning for bigger purchases.
3. Invest – Exploring ways to make your savings grow over time, even if it’s just in a piggy bank or a school “rainy day” fund.

To illustrate these points, the players used a variety of interactive tools:

• The “Money Tree”: Children were given a small pot, soil, and a seedling. They learned that, just as a seed needs water and sunlight, a dollar needs regular deposits and careful management to grow into a robust financial tree.

• Piggy Bank Challenge: Each student received a custom‑branded “Ravens Piggy Bank” to fill with coins. The team explained how setting a savings goal—like buying a new skateboard—could motivate regular deposits and the discipline to reach that target.

• Budgeting Worksheet: The kids were shown a simple worksheet that broke down a fictional allowance into categories: “Need,” “Want,” and “Save.” They practiced moving money between these buckets based on what they wanted to achieve.

The event also highlighted the importance of avoiding debt, especially the “traps” that can ensnare young adults. “You’ve got to think long‑term,” emphasized Ravens’ wide receiver, Caleb Hutchinson. “A small debt today can become a huge liability tomorrow.”

Player Involvement

While Marcus Mariota and Caleb Hutchinson were front‑and‑center, the event also featured Ravens defensive lineman, Jalen Ramsey (not to be confused with the current player of the same name on the Los Angeles Rams, but rather a rookie on the Ravens roster at the time of the event). Ramsey explained how he began saving a portion of his rookie contract for a future investment in real estate. The presence of a mix of positions—offensive, defensive, and special teams—helped to convey that financial literacy is a universal necessity, regardless of career path.

“It’s not just about football,” said Jalen Ramsey. “It’s about being prepared for whatever life throws at you. Money is a tool, and you have to learn how to use it wisely.”

Community Partnerships and Impact

The Ravens’ outreach was coordinated with the City of Baltimore’s Office of Community Development, which has a long history of partnering with the NFL to provide after‑school programs. “These are early, crucial conversations,” said City Councilwoman Aisha Johnson, who attended the event as a special guest. “We’re seeing a generation of kids who understand that a dollar saved today is a step toward the future.”

In addition to the school, the program was streamed live on the Ravens’ official YouTube channel, where an additional 10,000 viewers tuned in to watch the players share their financial advice. The event also generated an uptick in donations to “Baltimore Banks for Kids,” with the nonprofit reporting a 20% increase in program enrollments over the following month.

Looking Ahead

WFMZ’s feature notes that the “Finance 101” program will become a recurring event, with the Ravens planning to visit a new school each month across the city. The team also hinted at a summer “Money Camp” that would incorporate more advanced topics like investing in stocks, starting a small business, and using credit responsibly.

“Financial literacy is a lifelong skill,” said Mariota in a closing remark. “We’re excited to see the next generation grow up smarter about money—and maybe even better at the game too.”

For more details on the program’s schedule, upcoming events, and how to sign up for the “Money Camp,” readers can visit the official Ravens community outreach page linked at the bottom of the WFMZ article.

Bottom Line

The Baltimore Ravens’ “Finance 101” initiative is a testament to how professional athletes can extend their influence beyond the gridiron. By sharing real‑world knowledge and tools, the players gave young Baltimore residents a practical foundation for achieving financial stability and success. The event’s success, coupled with community support, signals that sports teams can indeed play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation’s economic future.