Recently, Bro. Ramon Harewood, Psi Chapter '08, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. The following is his story of hard, work on and of the field.
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On paper Ramon Harewood’s accolades are quite impressive: Academic scholarship to Morehouse College. 3.3 G.P.A. in Physics and Engineering. Honor Roll. Dean’s List. Community Servant. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Psi Chapter… this list could go on. His resume would undoubtedly turn heads and arouse attention in any corporate recruiting office. In fact it’s safe to surmise that even in this economic recession, with credentials like this Ramon Harewood could probably have any job he so desired.
But Harewood isn’t looking for employment.
Because as impressive as his intellectual and social achievements are, his athletic prowess is equally astounding. A three-time All SIAC Offensive Linemen while at Morehouse with eye popping physical measurables: 6-foot-6 ½, 340 pounds; runs a 5.0 40 yard dash; broad jumps 9-feet, 3 inches. Those are the kinds of numbers that make potential employers from another sector salivate and drool all over themselves. Many NFL hiring managers rushed to witness his athleticism for themselves at Pro Day, a chance for teams to scout prospective players.
“There were 20 teams at his pro day, including a general manager, and several offensive line position coaches. You rarely see a GM at a Pro Day,” recalls his agent, Damien S. Butler of G3 Sports Marketing and Representation, LLC.
Ultimately, Harewood picked by the Baltimore Ravens, the 194th pick in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He is first Morehouse man to be drafted in the modern era and the news instantly propelled the native Barbadian on a seemingly improbable journey from the tiny Caribbean nation to potential stardom in the National Football League.
Not bad for someone who had been playing football for just three years.
More to the Man
It’s clear that Harewood is far more than just a football player. For starters, he was a member of the Barbados national teams in rugby, track and field, and volleyball. He arrived at Morehouse on an academic scholarship after a chance meeting with one of the school’s football coaches, who was a friend of a friend.
“I wanted to get away (from Barbados) and do something with my life,” Harewood said.
Once on campus, he set his sights on putting his best foot forward. It soon became evident to everyone who came in contact with “Barbados” as he is referred to by his fraternity brothers and friends that he possessed something extraordinary.
His mentor and good friend, George C. Bandy Jr., said Harewood has “an intrinsic desire to be the best.”
Bandy, a Morehouse alum, has been an integral part of Harewood’s life since he arrived at Morehouse.
“Whether it’s in the classroom, social service in the community, or playing football, Ramon strives to be the best. I’ve seen how hard he works every day,” Bandy adds. “The Ravens couldn’t have made a better choice. They’re not only getting a superb athlete, they’re getting a gem of a man.”
When agents from big agencies came calling, promising the world, Harewood was not quick to jump at their offers. “I wanted someone I could trust and be comfortable with completely. I had to choose Damien,” he states. Butler, a Morehouse graduate as well, was keenly aware of the unique challenges it would take to make a Division II player into a legitimate draft prospect. And together they dove into the process head first.
Under Butler’s guidance and connections, in the days leading up to the draft, Harewood dedicated himself to getting in peak physical condition. He shed more than 20 pounds from his massive frame, adopted a better eating strategy, and followed a strict workout and positiion-drill regimen with former NFL players and all of them had the same assessment. He picks up concepts extremely quickly, and his work ethic is incredible,” Butler points out. “He’s just a special, special player.”
Going Pro
By his own admission, Harewood didn’t initially have aspirations of playing in the NFL.
“After my sophomore year, I started to consider the possibility, but I couldn’t worry about it. All I could do was go out and keep getting better and keep learning.” In fact he credits his coaching staff for first putting the thoughts into his head. “They all kept telling me that I would get a chance.”
While many pro prospects are ready to celebrate their accomplishments and literally toast their futures, Harewood chose a different route. His draft day “party” consisted of him and his girlfriend, watching “some” of the three day events. “I didn’t watch much of the first day (First Round), he admits. Maybe a little bit more on the second day (Second and Third Rounds). I watched on the third day (Round 4-7).”
He said she knew his best shot would come during the final day of this year’s draft, and when his name was finally called?
“I couldn’t react. I was on the phone with Ozzie Newsome (Baltimore Ravens General Manager and NFL Hall of Famer). He told me if the Packers don’t choose me at 193, they (the Ravens), were going to draft me. The Packers made their pick and then right after that I saw my name come up on the screen…. … He said you have a chance to play for the Ravens for a long time…”
Newsome is regarded as one of the top talent evaluators in football and is known for developing talented players and making them All-Stars.
National Hero
Harewood immediately called his “aunt,” Antonia Coward in Barbados, his late mother’s best friend who raised him since he was 10.
In the days that followed, Harewood’s image graced the front pages of all of the native newspapers and publications throughout the country and region. He is being viewed as the first Bajan or Barbadian player to play in the NFL (he believes there may have been one other player however, who was not raised in Barbados), and with this comes the hopes of the tiny Caribbean nation and perhaps future football players.
Harewood’s stance is a bit more modest.
“They tell me everyone thinks I’m a hero at home. I haven’t been there to see it…. I don’t consider myself any type of celebrity.”
Now
The real work begins for Harewood now. Being a sixth round pick can be a dicey proposition as many players drafted in later rounds often don’t make the teams. But the Ravens have made it clear that they’re extremely excited to have him as part of their team.
“We’ll probably start him out at tackle, would be my guess, but probably move him inside at guard. He may play both spots. Our coaches really like him. … I think he’s got a lot of upside,” Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta said in a post-draft news conference.
“I haven’t thought about it yet,” Harewood said about his professional future. “Maybe it hasn’t hit me yet. I guess in 10 years, after I’ve made a few Pro Bowls and I’m looking at my career, I’ll stop to think about it. But right now, I’m just ready to start working with the Ravens staff.”
orkout and position-drill regimen. “He worked out with several ..... former NFL players and all of them had the same assessment. He picks up concepts extremely quickly, and his work ethic is incredible,” Butler points out. “He’s just a special, special player.”
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