Zay Flowers

Born on September 11, 2000, Xavien “Zay” Kevonn Flowers has emerged as a powerful force in American football. From becoming a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens to breaking records in his freshman years, his journey has been a testament to his immeasurable determination, resilience, and raw talent.

Flowers was born to Willie Flowers and Jackie Walden and he grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Even though he was born into a large family, being the 11th child among 14 siblings, he experienced a painful adolescence due to the passing away of his mother when he was five and the murder of his brother, Martin, when he was in high school.

Flowers displayed a deep affinity for football from an early age. As a junior at NSU University School where he played both wide receiver and cornerback positions, he made 48 catches resulting in 631 yards and 10 touchdowns catapulting the school to the state semifinals on two occasions. Recognizing his exceptional talent, scouts ranked him as a 3-star prospect and the 135th receiver recruit in the nation. These assessments and accomplishments led him to commit to play college football at Boston College.

His integration into the Boston College football team was swift and marked by substantial achievements. In his freshman year, he caught 22 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. The subsequent year, he achieved a new milestone as he became the second wide receiver in the school’s history to be named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). That season ended with him making 56 receptions for 892 yards and nine touchdowns. By his senior year, he was named third-team All-ACC after catching 44 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns.

Throughout his career at Boston College, Flowers continually raised the bar, breaking several records to become the first in career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. This unprecedented track record prompted him to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft on December 1, 2022.

The NFL Draft of 2023 marked a new chapter in Flowers’ life as he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 22nd overall pick. He officially began his journey with the Ravens on June 15 when he signed a 4-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract worth $14 million.

From week one, Flowers proved why the Ravens made the right call in signing him, securing the highest number of receptions for a Ravens wide receiver. His trajectory continued to soar, scoring his first NFL touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the team’s victory in London in Week 6. In Week 12, he again showcased his prowess by scoring two touchdowns, one a 3-yard reception and the other a 37-yard run, contributing greatly to the Ravens’ 20-10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Week 17 proved to be historical for both Flowers and the Ravens. After scoring a 75-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, he set a new franchise record for the most receiving yards by a rookie. Today, Xavien “Zay” Kevonn Flowers is a living testament of the power of talent coupled with resilience and perseverance to rise from adversity and leave a unique mark in the world of American football. His journey remains a beacon of inspiration to many, and sports enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to see how high he will soar in his professional football career.