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Former University of Maine third team All-American defensive end and current Baltimore Raven Patrick Ricard has been chosen to the AFC Pro Bowl team roster for the fifth time in his career.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound fullback is the only former Black Bear to earn five Pro Bowl selections. He is just the eighth player in Ravens history to be picked to at least five Pro Bowls.
The Spencer, Massachusetts, native spent his first three seasons with the Ravens as a rare two-way player, seeing duty on the defensive line as well as a fullback on offense.
An undrafted free agent, he became a full-time offensive player in 2020.
Ricard has been a key component in one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks this season with his punishing blocking creating holes for running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens lead the NFL in total yards per game at 424.21, and they are second in rushing yards with 2,969, just 28 fewer than the Philadelphia Eagles.
But the Ravens’ 6.9 yards per play and 5.7 rushing yards per carry are tops in the NFL.
They also lead the NFL in runs of 20 or more yards with 26, red zone efficiency at 74.2 percent and games with at least 150 rushing yards (12).
Their 185.6 rushing yards per game is second-best in the NFL.
The Ravens have averaged at least five yards per carry in a league-high 13 games, which also ties the franchise record.
The 11-5 and playoff-bound Ravens conclude their regular season by hosting the 3-13 Cleveland Browns at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ricard has caught two passes for eight yards this season, including a three-yard touchdown reception in a 41-10 victory over Denver.
The 30-year-old Ricard has caught 47 passes for 301 yards and seven touchdowns during his seven-year, 120-game career. Sixteen of his receptions have earned first downs.
Ricard played in 44 games for the Black Bears and was involved in 208 tackles including 47.5 tackles for lost yards. He had 18 sacks, 11 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pair of blocked kicks.
