It's not often that the cameras are rolling during an NFL head coach's first meeting with his incoming rookie class, all of whom are eager to get started in pursuit of their lifelong dream of playing in the NFL.
As Ravens head coach John Harbaugh addressed a roomful of Ravens rookies, cameras captured his important message.
"Here's the awesome thing about football. Football is the only true meritocracy in this country. There are other meritocracies...like you work hard, and you're successful right? But where is it more true than football?"
"Because anybody can play football. I mean, if you're going to play basketball, it sure helps to be six-ten and have certain skills. Now, you have to be talented to play football, and have certain skills, but ya know what? If you're rough, and you're tough and you're willing to work hard, you can find your way onto a football team at some level."
"Now, you all found yourself onto a football team at the highest level. I guess my point is that football players come in all shapes and sizes, all colors, all religions, all socioeconomic backgrounds, and from every corner of the country, and even Australia. They come from everywhere. That's the beatiful thing. It is the ultimate team sport."
"In the end, the one true champion will be the team that plays the best together."
Hear more from John Harbaugh's first talk with the team's rookies in the clip.
Go inside the meeting room to hear Coach Harbaugh's first speech to the rookies when they arrived in Baltimore this week. pic.twitter.com/0zCCLj7v8o
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 6, 2017