Ravens Learn Lesson at Historic Gettysburg

On Wednesday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh traded practice for a history lesson.

Early in the day, the organization announced practice for rookies, quarterbacks and injured veterans had been canceled. As it turned out, the Harbaugh took his team, or those present at the facility, to historical Gettysburg as part of a team-building exercise.

"I've never really been into history like that," rookie linebacker Arthur Brown told BaltimoreRavens.com. "But like our leaders were saying out here, it relates to what we do as football players. What I got from it is what it takes to win a battle, to overcome adversity and keeping the big picture in mind. Keeping the focus on the common goal and achieving that goal."

Harbaugh is a history buff and wanted to use the historic battle as a means to correlate lessons learned in battle to the football field. Football coaches at all levels have been known to use political, history or war analogies in their sport.

Just a year ago, after a thrilling 23-20 win over Pittsburgh, Harbaugh recited former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt's famous speech, "The Man in the Arena."

For the players who thought they were practicing Wednesday, it was likely a nice reprieve before the first full session begins Thursday.

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