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Ravens' request to Michael Phelps scores publicity gold

Ravens' request to Michael Phelps scores publicity gold

Baltimore’s social post turned into a feel-good story with reach and purpose

Gail Sideman
August 07, 2025

🗓️ Save the Date

Tune in to learn about public relations’ role in athletes’ name, image and likeness during PRSA’s Entertainment and Sports Section NIL Collective Series, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 3 p.m. EDT. It’s free for PRSA members and available for a fee to non-members. I’ll talk about how athletes can train for media and business opportunities like they train for their sport, while other panelists will dig into different parts of NIL. You can register here.

** Feel free to email me questions, and I’ll try to answer them on the panel as well as in future posts at NILpublicity.com.

Who knew big guys could spark publicity so elegantly?

In a synchronized summer story, professional football players and a decorated Olympian got sports fans talking about skills helpful far beyond the field or pool.

The Baltimore Ravens are in contact with multi-medalist Michael Phelps for swim lessons after cornerback Marlon Humphrey posted a video on social media asking for help. Along with Humphrey, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, safety Kyle Hamilton and tight end Charlie Kolar asked for a session from the Baltimore-born Olympian who knows his way around a pool.

“Mr. Phelps, we have a problem. Did you know one in three Ravens players cannot swim?”

Creativity = publicity and 100% response rate here.

I don’t know how they did in practice that day, but the group earned unofficial Instagram honors with their creative invite for Phelps, winner of a record 23 Olympic gold medals, to visit the Ravens’ new aquatic center. The team’s publicity staff couldn’t have scripted it better.

Phelps, an unapologetic Ravens fan, replied the next day: “I got y’all!!! Let’s do it!!”

One in three adults lacks swimming skills

The American Red Cross estimates that about 70 percent of African Americans, 40 percent of Hispanics and 25 percent of white people can’t swim 25 meters, which is the length of a standard pool. That’s about one in three adults, which leads to too many accidental drownings.

Safety first — start ‘em young

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons by a child’s first birthday, and some programs suggest getting kids used to the water between 3 and 6 months. Those early sessions focus on water safety more than strokes. I saw (and heard) my niece and nephews scream bloody murder when Ms. Kathy taught them when they were little, but I know they wouldn’t trade learning to swim early for the world.

You’re not trying to raise the next Olympian when you put tots in the water, but you are teaching them lifelong, lifesaving skills. And hey, maybe if you ask nicely, Phelps will pull up to the side of your pool and help.

At last check, no date has been set for the Ravens-Phelps class.

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