Baltimore Ravens player Calais Campbell has broken his silence regarding the tragic murder of his mother, Nateal Campbell, 71, and the subsequent arrest of his brother, Ciarre Campbell, 41.
Nateal Campbell was found deceased in her Atlanta townhouse in June with her throat cut, according to police. Ciarre Campbell was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony. A 911 call released by Atlanta Police revealed a desperate plea for a welfare check from one of Calais Campbell's brothers.
Speaking for the first time since the incident, Campbell acknowledged the difficulty the past few months have presented for his family. "These last couple of months have been pretty tough for me and my family but we're working through it," he told the Baltimore Banner during Ravens training camp. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the NFL community, stating, "I really appreciate all the love and support and prayers that have been coming from all over the NFL community. All the fanbases... continue praying for us because we need it."
Despite the personal turmoil, Campbell, a veteran defensive lineman, confirmed his intention to play in his 19th NFL season. He recently signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Ravens. "I love the game of football a lot and it is a place for me [that] brings me joy," Campbell explained when asked if he considered sitting out the season. "The training was adjusted a little bit. It was a little harder to train but I love this game a lot and this is a very fun place for me to be. So playing football has been great for me."
Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a 2017 first-team All-Pro, began his NFL career in 2008. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins. In 2019, he was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year and was recognized as a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. The Man of the Year award followed his founding of the Charles Richard Campbell Foundation, which aims to enhance communities by teaching critical life skills to young people. The foundation is named after his late father.