Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens

For Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman, football is more than a career—it’s a platform to support a cause close to his heart: trauma recovery. Having witnessed the impact of trauma on friends and family in his hometown of Tifton, Georgia, Bateman has made it his mission to use his role with the Ravens to provide resources, hope, and healing to survivors in Baltimore and beyond. His efforts, which include funding therapy programs, hosting support workshops, and sharing his own story of resilience, aren’t just charitable acts—they’re a testament to how athletes can turn their influence into real, lasting change. Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens explores the inspiration behind his work, the specific initiatives he’s launched, and how the Ravens have amplified his impact to support a community in need.

Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens begins with the personal motivation driving Bateman’s advocacy— a history of witnessing trauma that shaped his commitment to healing. Growing up, Bateman watched as a close friend struggled with the aftermath of a violent incident, struggling to access affordable therapy and feeling isolated in their recovery. Later, during his college career at the University of Minnesota, he volunteered at a youth center where he worked with kids who had experienced abuse or community violence. Those experiences, he says, opened his eyes to the “silent crisis” of unaddressed trauma—especially in underserved communities. “Trauma doesn’t just go away if you ignore it,” Bateman said in a recent interview. “It affects how you live, how you trust, how you dream. I saw people I cared about stuck, and I knew I had to do something when I had the platform to help.” When he joined the Ravens in 2021, Bateman made trauma recovery a priority, meeting with Baltimore community leaders to identify gaps in services—like a shortage of trauma-informed therapists and a lack of support groups for adult survivors—before launching his first initiative.

A key initiative in Bateman’s work is the “Heal Together” workshop series— a monthly event that brings trauma survivors, therapists, and community members together for education and connection. Hosted at the Ravens’ training facility in Owings Mills, each workshop focuses on a different aspect of trauma recovery: from understanding the science of trauma to learning coping skills like mindfulness and journaling. Bateman leads the workshops alongside licensed therapists, often sharing his own strategies for managing the stress of NFL life—like meditation and talking to a sports psychologist—to normalize seeking help. At a recent workshop, 50 survivors attended, with many sharing their stories in small groups. One attendee, Maria Gonzalez, a Baltimore resident who survived a car accident, said, “Hearing Rashod talk about his own struggles made me feel less alone. This workshop didn’t just teach me skills—it made me realize I don’t have to heal by myself.” The workshops also include a resource fair, where survivors can connect with local organizations offering free or low-cost therapy, legal aid, and housing support—filling a critical gap in Baltimore’s trauma recovery ecosystem.

Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens also includes funding for trauma-informed therapy— a financial commitment that expands access for the Baltimore Ravens’ community. In 2023, Bateman donated \(100,000 of his own money to create the “Bateman Trauma Recovery Fund,” which covers the cost of therapy sessions for survivors who can’t afford treatment. The fund partners with Baltimore-based clinics like Behavioral Health System Baltimore to provide up to 12 free sessions per person, with a focus on serving Black and Latino survivors—groups that are disproportionately affected by trauma but often face barriers to care, like cost or cultural stigma. “Money shouldn’t be a reason someone can’t heal,” Bateman said when announcing the fund. “If I can use what I’ve earned to remove that barrier, that’s the least I can do.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this donation aligns with the team’s broader community mission: the Ravens Foundation matched Bateman’s \)100,000 gift, doubling the fund’s impact and allowing it to serve over 500 survivors in its first year. The team also promoted the fund through its social media channels and game-day announcements, ensuring that survivors across Baltimore know the resource exists.

Another vital part of Bateman’s work is raising awareness through storytelling— a strategy that reduces stigma for the Baltimore Ravens’ fanbase. Bateman has used his platform to share stories of trauma survivors during Ravens press conferences, social media posts, and even pre-game interviews. Last season, he hosted a “Survivor Spotlight” segment on the Ravens’ official YouTube channel, featuring Baltimore residents talking about their recovery journeys—including a veteran with PTSD and a teenager who survived bullying. “Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to recovery,” Bateman explained. “When people see survivors sharing their stories—especially people they relate to—it makes them more likely to seek help themselves.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this storytelling initiative has been a way to connect with fans on a deeper level: the “Survivor Spotlight” videos have garnered over 500,000 views, with many fans commenting that the stories inspired them to check in on loved ones or seek therapy for their own trauma. The team has also incorporated Bateman’s work into its game-day events, with survivors being honored during halftime of select home games—turning Ravens games into a space for celebration and healing.

Finally, Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens wraps up with the long-term impact— how Bateman’s work is building a legacy of healing for the Baltimore Ravens. In just two years, Bateman’s initiatives have served over 1,000 trauma survivors in Baltimore, with 82% of fund recipients reporting improved mental health after completing therapy. Local therapists say the fund has helped reduce wait times for services, while survivors note that the workshops have created a sense of community they didn’t have before. Bateman’s work has also inspired other Ravens players to get involved: wide receiver Zay Flowers and cornerback Marlon Humphrey have volunteered at “Heal Together” workshops, and running back J.K. Dobbins has donated to the trauma recovery fund. “Rashod has shown what it means to be a leader on and off the field,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. “He’s not just playing for the Ravens—he’s investing in Baltimore, and that’s the kind of impact that lasts long after his career is over.” For the Baltimore Ravens, Bateman’s efforts are a reminder that the team’s role in the community extends beyond football: it’s about lifting up those in need and creating a city where everyone has the chance to heal. Rashod Bateman's Efforts Aid Trauma Recovery via the Baltimore Ravens ultimately shows that one athlete’s passion can spark a movement—proving that sports have the power to heal, unite, and transform lives.