Jameel McClain Jameel Leshawn McClain ( born July 25 , 1985 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ) is an American football linebacker who is a member of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League . He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008 . He played college football at Syracuse . Early Years . Jameel ' s prep career took place at George Washington High School in Philadelphia , PA where he recorded 230 tackles , 22 sacks , 8 FFs and 13 FRs in his career . He was also a captain his senior season . Jameel was also a boxer during his grade school years . He trained at a gym in the city and competed in Gold Glove competitions in and around the area . He had a 6 - 1 career record with his only loss coming by decision . College career . McClain played college football at Syracuse University . Totaled 170 tackles ( 82 solo ) , 21 . 5 TFL , 11 . 5 sacks , 3 FRs , 1 FF and 1 INT in his 4 - year career at SU Was one of nine players to start all 12 games as a senior and posted a career - high 77 tackles ( 39 solo ) , 1 sack , 1 FR and a blocked FGA Named second - team All - Big East as a junior , finishing second in the conference and 18th nationally with a career - high 9 . 5 sacks Was a semifinalist for the Ted Hendricks Award , given to the nation ’ s best defensive lineman Started every game as a junior , posting 69 tackles , including 39 solo , 14 . 5 TFL , 1 FF and 1 FR His 14 . 5 TFL ranked sixth on the SU single - season list Saw action in 10 games , primarily on special teams as a sophomore , netting 20 tackles and a sack Played in 11 games as a freshman and had 11 tackles and a FR McClain wore number 52 as a member of the Orange . Professional career . McClain signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2008 . He was the only rookie free agent to make the Ravens roster in 2008 . In his debut season he played spot duty and some special teams work . He recorded 16 total tackles , a blocked punt , and two safeties & 2 . 5 sacks in the regular season . In the postseason , he accumulated 4 total tackles . He established a franchise record with 2 safeties in one season ( sack of then Oakland Raiders QB Jamarcus Russell and a blocked punt ) . McClain started his first career game in 2009 vs . the Indianapolis Colts on November 22 . He finished the season with a then career high 29 tackles from scrimmage and 33 tackles and a forced fumble on special teams . He started 15 of 16 games in 2010 finishing 3rd on the team ( behind Ray Lewis and Dawan Landry ) with a career high 91 tackles , 2 PD , 1 FR and 1 Sack . In 2010 , McClain made a questionable hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller during their Sunday Night Football game on December 5 , 2010 . Diving for a pass , Miller was hit helmet to helmet by Jameel , knocking him out on the field . No flag was thrown or penalty called . On December 6 , 2010 , Jameel McClain was fined $ 40 , 000 for the hit on Miller , a fine that was later reduced to $ 20 , 000 . Personal life . Off the field McClain has participated in many different philanthropic events . Since 2008 he has built a relationship with the Salvation Army Baltimore Area Command , becoming their spokesperson and speaking at their November 2008 kickoff event for the annual Red Kettle Campaign . In 2009 he and a bunch of fellow Ravens teammates participated in the Salvation Army ' s Holiday Gift Distribution by distributing gift packages to local families in need . He has also worked with the United Way on a number of their " Extreme Makeover " projects , helping to renovate the Woodmoor Police Athletic League Center and the Medfield Recreation Center . Aside from his philanthropic participation with the Salvation Army he also has a personal connection to the organization . During his childhood there were periods of homelessness in which he , his mother and three siblings lived at a Salvation Army rescue center in Philadelphia , PA . " You ' d just have nights where food was a figment of your stomach ' s imagination , where you would go to bed hungry , " McClain recalls " Having the same jeans weeks at a time , sharing a room at the shelter with strangers and having to be there at a certain time , worrying that people were going to come in your room after you were asleep and mess with you . . . there were some tough times . " McClain used his experience at the Salvation Army to help build the foundation for his future , he earned a scholarship from Syracuse University to play football and then jumped at the opportunity to show the Ravens that he deserved to be a member of their team by being the only undrafted rookie free agent to make their 53 man roster in 2008 . " My life has been one boxing match after another , " McClain says . " No matter what gets thrown at me , I keep fighting . "