Ravens' Odell Beckham Jr. opens up about 'dark days' after injury

Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. continues to discuss his recovery from a knee injury that apparently could've ended his career. 

"First day coming out, I just wanted to be grateful for that moment," Beckham said about experiencing training camp for the first time since the summer of 2021 with the Cleveland Browns, according to Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. "It was a long time in rehab, dark days, hard times. Just to be able to be back out there running around; I didn’t care what happened. It was just a blessing to be able to step out on that field." 

Beckham recently acknowledged that he considered retirement after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee playing for the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI in February 2022. He tore the ACL in the same knee while with the Browns in October 2020. 

As late as this past December, Beckham received interest from the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants but remained unsigned through the playoffs. The Cowboys reportedly had concerns about his surgically-repaired knee following a club physical. 

"I just feel good," Beckham insisted. "I feel like I’m going to continue to work to get back to who I know I truly am." 

Beckham hasn't hidden that the Ravens weren't his first choice in free agency before he signed a one-year, $15M contract to join the AFC North club in April. The three-time Pro Bowl selection now is embracing serving as a mentor while also enjoying being part of a team for the first time in over a year. 

"I know my role is — obviously I want to make plays, I want to score touchdowns, I want to dance, I want to have fun — but to definitely help the younger guys mentally, physically, spiritually, however I can," the 30-year-old added. "We got a lot of work ahead of us."