Orono, Maine -- Former University of Maine defensive lineman Pat Ricard earned a spot on the Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster, the team announced on Saturday, Sept. 2. Continuing the tradition of Black Bears moving on to the NFL, the Patriots announced on Sunday, Sept. 3 that they had signed former Black Bear Trevor Bates to their practice squad.

Ricard, an undrafted free agent signee by the Baltimore Ravens in the spring of 2017, appeared in 44 games with the Black Bears. Nearly a quarter of Ricard's 208 total tackles during his time at Maine were tackles for a loss. He ended his career at Maine with 47.5 tackles for loss, 18.0 sacks, 11 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a pair of blocked kicks. Ricard, a native of Spencer, Mass., will join the Ravens when they open the 2017 season on Sept. 10 at Cincinatti.

"Pat has always had a great work ethic," commented UMaine head coach, Joe Harasymiak. "He has played the game of football with a relentless passion and I believe the Ravens have seen that. His future is very bright with that great organization.

Bates earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2016-17 New England Patriots' practice squad. A seventh round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Bates played in his first NFL game vs. Chicago on Oct. 9, 2016 before being released by the Colts on Oct. 13. On Nov. 7, 2016, Bates was signed to the Patriots' practice squad. While at Maine, Bates played in 46 games while totaling 207 tackles, 19 sacks, 10 pass deflections, five forced fumble, two fumble recoveries including one returned for a touchdown, and three interceptions including one taken back for a touchdown.

"Trevor's work ethic and character speaks for itself," said Harasymiak. "For the second-straight year he has been able to be a part of the greatest organization in sports. To accomplish that I think it speaks to what type of person and football player he is and has become."

-UMaine-