The AFC North was stained by tragedy late last week, as Tray Walker, the second-year Ravens defensive back, died Friday after a motorbike accident in Miami, Florida.
Walker, 23, was selected by Baltimore in the fourth round of the NFL Draft last year and played mostly on special teams.
"Tray was one of the most humble persons we brought in for a pre-draft visit. That was striking," Baltimore general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome said in a statement on BaltimoreRavens.com. "After we drafted him, he and his family were so excited to receive the call that he was about to become a Raven. It was one of the calls I will always remember. There was such joy for Tray and his family."
Ravens coach John Harbaugh added in a separate statement: "Tray was a young man with a good and kind heart. He was humble and loved everything about being part of the Ravens' team. He loved his teammates, the practice and the preparation, and that showed every day.
"He was coachable, did his most to improve and worked to become the best. I'll never forget that smile. He always seemed to be next to me during the national anthem; then we would give each other a big hug."
Walker — a standout at Texas Southern — dedicated last season to his late father, who died of a heart attack in 2014. A graduate of Miami Northwestern High School, Walker was teammates with the likes of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper.
If you want to know more about Tray Walker's life and how the Ravens plan to honor him, check BaltimoreRavens.com.
Bengals
Cincinnati cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones spoke with the local news media Thursday following signing a new three-year contract with the Bengals, saying that he was grateful to continue his career in the Queen City.
Jones, who has spent the past six seasons with Cincinnati, told Bengals.com that "the only thing I can pay them back with is the confetti — to win the Super Bowl."
He added: I'm just willing to do whatever I have to do to make sure I'm doing my part leading the guys."
Jones also touched on teammate and Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson, who remains a free agent.
"At the end the day we all get paid to do a job, I think everybody is a true professional and we'll find a way to move on," Jones told Bengals.com, adding that it'd be "hard" to replace Nelson's production in the defensive secondary.
— Bengals reserve offensive lineman Eric Winston was re-elected as president of the NFL Players Association last week, running unopposed for his second straight two-year term, ESPN.com reported.
Steelers
Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert on Sunday dismissed speculation that the Steelers had considered releasing wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who was suspended for at least one season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
"None whatsoever," Colbert told Steelers.com. "He has to do what he has to do from a league standpoint. He has to do what he has to do from a personal standpoint. We have to prepare for what we have to do without him in 2016. After all that is taken care of, we will revisit it. As of right now, as Art Rooney II said, we support him. But in all honesty, what happens is totally up to him."
Bryant — who missed four games last season for the same offense — caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games in 2015.
