Mark Andrews breaks silence since Divisional round: ‘This adversity will only make me stronger’

The three-time Pro Bowler vows to not let his mistakes define who he is moving forward and is determined to prove himself again.

Four days after the Baltimore Ravens’ exit from the playoffs, tight end Mark Andrews, who lost a fourth-quarter fumble and dropped the game-tying two-point conversion, has finally released his first public comments.

The seven-year veteran was not present following the game in the locker room to speak with media. He also did not attend Monday’s locker room cleanout when media were in attendance.

On Thursday, Andrews broke his silence via an Instagram post.

“It’s impossible to adequately express how I feel. I’m absolutely gutted by what happened on Sunday. I’m devastated for my teammates, my coaches and Ravens fans. I pour every ounce of my being into playing at the highest level possible, because I love my team and the game of football like nothing else.

“That is why it’s taken me until now to collect my thoughts and address this publicly. Even though the shock and disappointment are unlike anything I’ve felt before, I refuse to let the situation define me. I promise that this adversity will only make me stronger and fuel us as we move forward.

“I thank everyone who has shown me and our team genuine support these past several days. Despite the negativity, I’ve seen heartfelt love and encouragement, including from those who have generously donated to the Breakthrough T1D organization. Even when the moment seems darkest, perspective can reveal that there’s still a lot of light in this world. I’m now going to do my part to bounce back and contribute to it. #GodBless”

In a clip from the finale of in-season Hard Knocks that has since gone viral, Andrews’ long-time friend and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, immediately went over to console him after he bobbled and dropped what would’ve been the game-tying two-point try.

“It’s all of us, bro. We’re a team, bro. We’re a team. It ain’t just you,” Jackson said.

At the end-of-season press conference on Wednesday, both head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta shared that they have been in communication with Andrews and expressed their thoughts on how much he means to the team.

“Mark Andrews is one of the very best football players, one of the most committed football players,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody cares more about the success of this football team than Mark Andrews, and he made numerous plays in the game up until the plays that everybody is talking about and in the season… Mark Andrews is a great football player, and he’s also a very tough-minded individual. So, yes, he takes it hard because he cares so much. I love Mark Andrews. Eric loves Mark. All of our players love Mark. Mark is a huge part of our future. And we love him, and we’re there for him. But if anybody can take a tough circumstance like that and handle it with class and grace and dignity and mental toughness, it’s most definitely Mark Andrews.”