Last week Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco was finally able to realize his hopes and dreams. It wasn’t bouncing back from a season-ending injury or leading the Ravens to three successive wins.
It was welcoming into his family his first baby girl.
Here she is, meet Evelyn Renee! We would like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Both Dana and Evelyn are doing well. pic.twitter.com/dBwafggDeq
— Joe Flacco (@JoeFlacco) September 29, 2016
Little Evelyn Renee was born last Tuesday, weighing seven pounds and six ounces, making Joe Flacco fell like the luckiest man alive.
Flacco told BaltimoreRavens.com, “I was keeping my fingers crossed… You hear fathers getting scared about not having boys, but I was starting to get to the point that I was scared about not having a little girl.”
When Evelyn made her debut, Flacco was shocked and excited at the same time.
“It was definitely different. Seeing a girl come out after three boys was a bit of a shock… Everybody is beyond overjoyed, beyond pumped.”
Evelyn became the youngest member of the Flacco family, joining her brothers, Stephen (4), Daniel (3) and Francis (1). She is the fourth child that Flacco and his wife Dana have had since they were married in 2011.
Dana is Flacco’s “high-school sweetheart” and they were married at Holy Savior Church in Westmont, New Jersey, the same Catholic parish where his parents were married. Flacco is comfortable with large families as he is the oldest of six siblings.
Flacco is well known for being a “family man,” turning down a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2015 because his wife was due with their third child. He was even caught wearing a baby carrier by a fan last year and is generally known as being down-to-earth.
Met my idol/favorite football player today. 💜Joe Flacco💜 What a sweetheart and a class act guy. @TeamFlacco@Ravenspic.twitter.com/YW9ox6lR2u
— 🍻 Jennifer Long 🍻 (@beachbabey87) March 11, 2015
However, he still has a way to go if he wants to catch up with San Diego Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers, who is currently the father to eight children.
Even though Joe Flacco is not as vocal about his Catholic faith as Philip Rivers, his public witness to the beauty of family life is needed in a world where children are often seen as obstacles to success. Flacco reminds us that children should fill us with joy and are treasures to behold.
They are certainly worth much more than any Pro Bowl game.
And today we celebrate...