Joey Porter Would 'Put On a Ravens Jersey' If Son Drafted

NFL Draft prospect Joey Porter Jr. said his dad, a known enemy of Charm City, would let bygones be bygones if his son gets a phone call from the Baltimore Ravens this week.

Perhaps nothing ... other than the respective demises of the AFC North's Ohio couple ... will ever bring lasting peace between fans of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. Joey Porter Jr.'s professional future, however, would at least make some headway in bridging the gap.

The younger Porter will undoubtedly hear his name called at the 2023 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday night in Kansas City (7 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/NFL Network), as the Penn State cornerback is said to be one of the top incoming defensive prospects. His name is obviously familiar to Ravens fans, who routinely dealt with his namesake at least twice a year: the elder Joey Porter, a linebacker, spent the first eight seasons of a 13-year NFL career with the hated Steelers and partook in some of the early slugfests between the divisional opponents as it shaped into one of the most intense and enduring rivalries of the new century. 

.@JoeyPorterJr says his dad would wear a @Ravens jersey. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/339S0250ne

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 26, 2023

With some projecting Porter Jr.'s NFL destiny to land in Baltimore, he was asked about the possibility by Andrew Siciliano during an appearance on NFL Network's "NFL Now." Fortunately for the family, and the Ravens if they indeed give him a call, Porter's father has made it clear that blood is thicker than any dirty water created by hate between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. 

"He would be proud. He would put on a Ravens jersey if that happened," Porter Jr. said. "He's going to support me at the end of the day." 

Seeing a Porter don purple would perhaps be the realization of long-forming dream for Ravens fans. When Porter's Pittsburgh career ended after the 2006 campaign, the Ravens were among those who inquired for his services though he eventually signed with the Miami Dolphins instead.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh entertained the idea of draft Porter earlier this month, even referencing the familial connotations of such a selection.

"Seeing Joey Porter Sr. a Ravens fan, that'd be great for all of us,'' Harbaugh said, referring to the son as "Joey Porter Sr. in DB form."

Porter's son appears well-destined to follow in his father's footsteps as a defensive playmaker, coming off a strong career as a Nittany Lion that ended with both first-team All-Big Ten honors and a victory in the Rose Bowl.

Baltimore's chance to draft Porter Jr. will likely come in Thursday's opening round, where they're currently placed in the 22nd slot.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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