“They Didn’t Believe in Us but God Did” – ‘Washed’ Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy Channels His Inner DJ Khaled as He Hits Back at Critics

Linebacker Kyle Van Noy joined the Baltimore Ravens only this year, and he has already started making waves. The Ravens, realizing the asset that he is, wasted no time in putting him into action. He was signed on September 27, 2023, with the practice squad. And just three days later, he was playing against the Cleveland Browns. He recorded 23 snaps in that game, even after being out of football for months.

In an earlier appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, he said, “I’ve been balling off the couch!” But “the couch” is figurative for Van Noy, as whichever team he’s been a part of previously did not allow him to play as much as he thought he deserved. With eight more games left till the postseason, how many more numbers will he add to his record?

Kyle Van Noy soars high after joining the Purple Pain

Pat McAfee, who had just flashed Van Noy’s incredible stats on the screen, asked why, after his months-long hiatus, people weren’t willing to believe in him. He said that DJ Khaled’s mantra was what kept him going. “They didn’t believe in us, but God did!” Coming into the Ravens as a 32-year-old, not many thought he would amount to anything great. “They see a 32-year-old guy, and they think he’s probably washed.” But the numbers tell a different story.

In just the last six games, he has recorded 1 forced fumble, 5 sacks, and 20 QB pressures! How’s that for a “washed” guy? Van Noy hit back at his critics and asked them to watch the tape to truly understand players’ potential instead of relying on superficial factors. While he was away from football, he was preparing diligently for any team that would come calling for him. And finally, the Ravens did.

Kyle Van Noy will finally be given the chance to show his true potential

A second-round pick out of BYU in 2014, Van Noy has not been the silent kind. The Detroit Lions drafted him into a defensive scheme that failed to leverage his strengths. And because of that, he had to spend most of his time in a reserve role, watching from the sidelines. Then he jumped ship to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s team, the New England Patriots.

There, he finally found a home and fit snugly into Belichick’s defensive scheme. With the Patriots, he appeared in three Super Bowls and won two. He then converted that resume into a $51 million four-year deal with the Dolphins. His signing with the Dolphins came soon after the Patriots defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, became their Head Coach. And we all know what Flores did to the Dolphins.

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And now he’s landed in Baltimore. He seems to be doing great with the team, having played just five games with the Purple Pain. The Ravens have just lost one game after they activated Van Noy. In two of those games, the defense has successfully limited the opponent’s score to single digits. The Ravens face the Browns next Sunday. Will Van Noy surprise us again?

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