walter payton

Three years after he was one of the stars in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory, Anquan Boldin picked up a huge personal honor during the NFL's championship weekend. Boldin, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, was named the 2015 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The announcement was made during the NFL Honors primetime awards show on the eve of the Super Bowl.

Technically, long-time Ravens backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will play in a Pro Bowl before his former teammate Joe Flacco. But remember, Flacco was asked to go to last year's Pro Bowl and turned down the invitation.

Starting left guard Kelechi Osemele, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, returned to practice Wednesday. He was listed as a full participant, a good sign for the Ravens who played Monday's game without three starting offensive linemen.

The offense for the Towson football team has the defense to thank for Saturday night's 28-21 upset of No. 23 Villanova. Freshman inside linebacker Chris Tedder returned an interception 34 yards in the third quarter, and junior cornerback Romell Haley repeated the feat with an 86-yard return in the final period to help the Tigers win a key Colonial Athletic Association showdown at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson.

The Tigers (3-3 overall and 1-2 in the CAA) will try to produce an encore when No. 23 Villanova (3-3, 2-1) visits Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Towson quarterback Connor Frazier ran for 15 yards on a fake punt, had three touchdown passes and played through some jarring hits against undefeated James Madison on Saturday. Despite his hard-nosed play, the Tigers still could not keep pace with dynamic Dukes quarterback Vad Lee, who strengthened his case for the Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding player in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Georgia Tech transfer threw for a career-high five touchdowns as James Madison,

Succeeding Terrance West, who set NCAA Football Championship Subdivision records in rushing yards (2,509) and rushing touchdowns (41) in 2013, was supposed to be a difficult task, but Darius Victor led the CAA in rushing last year in his first season as a starter.

Leading rider Trevor McCarthy was unseated when his mount swerved to miss a fallen horse as both were galloping out after the second race Saturday at Laurel Park.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith is the Ravens' nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

There have been nine misses in all -- divided evenly among his three NFL seasons -- and Ravens kicker Justin Tucker admits he probably can recount what went wrong on each of them.

Torrey Smith appeared carefree and relaxed as he shrugged his shoulders each time his contract status was broached last week.

Retired former Ravens center Matt Birk is staying involved with the NFL.

The Ravens are hosting Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garappolo, Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, Utah cornerback Keith McGill and Cal outside linebacker Khairi Fortt for official visits today, according to league sources.

Former Ravens center Matt Birk, the NFL¿s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2012 and a Super Bowl champion, will be back in the Baltimore area this Thursday for a signing for his new book, ¿All-Pro Wisdom: The 7 Choices that Lead to Greatness.¿

Terrance West's departure puts Darius Victor in leading role for Towson football

The Towson football team has already set benchmarks that will be difficult to match or exceed in future years: a single-season record of 12 victories, two NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff wins and the program's first-ever appearance in the tournament semifinals.

After finishing third in Walter Payton Award voting, junior hopes to carry Tigers into FCS championship

Terrance West was more than happy to miss out on the FCS' top individual honor if it meant winning a greater prize.

Towson coach Rob Ambrose says Walter Payton Award should go to RB Terrance West

Terrance West had an FCS playoff-record 354 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries Friday night as the Tigers advanced to the FCS semifinals with a 49-39 win over No. 2 Eastern Illinois at snowy O'Brien Field.

The way Arione Scott and Andre Dessenberg see it, Saturday's performance in the Towson football team's rout of Fordham is what they had been working for.

Towson's offensive line that serves as a foundation for the No. 7-seeded Tigers (10-2), who will tangle with Fordham (12-1) in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision tournament Saturday at 1 p.m. at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

As they prepare for No. 8 Florida State, Maryland's coaches have studied video of Jameis Winston completing 25 of his first 27 college passes and film of the Seminoles quarterback twice bolting away from pressure last week to complete a ridiculously athletic Hail Mary against Boston College.

Terps notes: Marcus Whitfield can¿t collect `game ball¿ until he finishes school

36-year-old started all 64 regular-season games during his Ravens' career and his 112 overall starts is the NFL's longest active streak among centers

Baltimore Ravens six-time Pro Bowl center played in NFL for 15 seasons

In addition to the Ravens on the field for Super Bowl XLVII, Baltimore viewers are going to see some familiar faces on the NFL Network's coverage leading up to the game.

Veteran delivers big hits, including one that set up Ray Rice's memorable fourth-and-29 conversion vs. Chargers

Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver honored for charitable efforts

Morgan State running back Travis Davidson leads the MEAC in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and points.

Matt Birk's goals at first were simple. There was no thought of having a long and productive NFL career. He had no visions of making Pro Bowl teams or annually competing for championships.

Hallmark has turned the tackle into a holiday ornament.

As the Ravens wait to see if free agent left guard Evan Mathis will accept their offer, they filled another hole on their offensive line by re-signing veteran center Matt Birk to a three-year deal.

Center Matt Birk, who was strongly considering retirement following the end of his 14th season, is interested in returning to the Ravens for the 2012 campaign.

Ravens veteran center Matt Birk was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year on Saturday night, recognition for his consistent play on the field and his commitment to community endeavors.

If Ravens center Matt Birk has decided to retire, he hasn't announced it yet. Birk has, however, decided to go zip-lining with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Birk, a candidate for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, is in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and hanging out with The Commish. Photo is courtesy of the NFL.

Veteran safety Ed Reed doesn't take questions, while center Matt Birk says he's undecided on retirement