Olympic champion Michael Phelps shares his swimming prowess with his hometown Ravens football team, upon their request for guidance
Michael Phelps to Teach Baltimore Ravens How to Swim
The Baltimore Ravens are set to receive swimming lessons from a local legend, as 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has agreed to teach the NFL team how to swim. The initiative came about after cornerback Marlon Humphrey posted a video on social media, inviting Phelps to teach the team.
In the video, Humphrey, safety Kyle Hamilton, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, and tight end Charlie Kolar can be seen standing in a pool, with Humphrey making the request to Phelps. Kolar commented that it was "so on brand" for Humphrey to post the video, and fellow team member Charlie Kolar was surprised by the request.
Phelps, a Baltimore native and long-time Ravens fan, responded enthusiastically to the invitation, saying "I got yall!!! Let's do it!!!" The swimming lessons are set to take place at the Baltimore Ravens’ newly renovated Under Armour Performance Center, which includes a recovery pool. The training camp for these lessons is aligned with the Ravens’ 2025 preseason activities.
Phelps, who is the most decorated Olympian of all time, has a history with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and was the flag bearer for Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. This event represents a unique crossover between Olympic swimming expertise and NFL player conditioning and safety training.
Unfortunately, one in three Baltimore Ravens cannot swim, and the team has turned to Phelps for guidance due to their team members' lack of swimming skills. Defensive back Marlon Humphrey and some of his teammates have admitted that they do not know how to swim, and the team is struggling in the swimming pool.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The exact dates of the swimming sessions have not been detailed in the sources, but the arrangement was made public at the end of July 2025, indicating the lessons are expected around the upcoming training camp period.
- Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, will be providing swim lessons to the Baltimore Ravens, as one in three team members lack swimming skills, aiming to improve their conditioning and safety training amidst American football.
- The swimming sessions with Phelps are scheduled to take place at the Baltimore Ravens’ Under Armour Performance Center during their 2025 preseason activities, following an invitation by cornerback Marlon Humphrey on social media.
