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Mitchellville Resident Signs Contract with Baltimore Ravens

Ryan Bartholomew was a standout at DeMatha High School.

Former Syracuse offensive lineman Ryan Bartholomew was overlooked in April’s NFL Draft, then was forced to wait out the long labor dispute between the owners and players.

“It’s been tough,” Bartholomew said about the wait. “All I’ve been doing is training.”

Bartholomew kept in shape by training at a facility in Crofton with a group of local NFL players that included Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Docket, Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and fellow DeMatha graduates Brian Westbrook of the San Francisco 49ers and his brother Byron Westbrook, a defensive back for the Washington Redskins.

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When the NFL lockout finally ended earlier this week, Bartholomew was happy to say the least: “I’m excited. It had to end at some point, just when was the question.”

On Monday, when the two sides reached an agreement to end the four-and-a-half month labor dispute, Bartholomew was a hot commodity. Three days later, he was one of 26 rookie free agents who had signed contracts with the Baltimore Ravens.

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At February’s NFL Scouting Combine, Bartholomew, a 6-foot-2, 298-pound center/guard, recorded the top bench press performance among offensive line prospects.

He was a standout at DeMatha, earning all-state and all-conference honors during his senior campaign while helping guide the Stags to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship.

“You just knew he would be successful,” said former DeMatha head coach Bill McGregor. “He just worked so hard.”

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