The Baltimore Ravens’ Sean Considine Takes Down Gobbling Springtime Turkeys
John E. Phillips 02.01.13
On Sunday, February 3, 2013, when the Baltimore Ravens come out of the tunnel to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, one of the men to keep your eye on is number 37, Sean Considine. Considine, an avid outdoorsman who is on Mossy Oak’s Pro Staff, will be living the dream he’s had for most of his life and his entire football career.
When the Baltimore Ravens either kick off or set up for the kick return at the Super Bowl, look closely at number 37, Sean Considine. In that Ravens uniform playing the position of safety is Sean Considine, an avid turkey hunter, whitetail deer hunter, and member of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff.
“When I went to college at the University of Iowa, I discovered a wonderful flock of turkeys almost within the city limits of Iowa City, Iowa,” Considine reports. “However, I quickly realized that football was more or less a full-time job. So, I had to really concentrate on turkey hunting more than on deer hunting, if I was going to have an opportunity to get out into the woods. In the spring of the year, while in college, I had plenty of places and more time to hunt turkeys than I did deer. I still love to hunt turkeys today.”
Having played in the NFL long enough to buy his own property to hunt, Considine has achieved one of his greatest goals–behind playing in the Super Bowl, of course.
“One of the first things I invested in when I was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles during my first year in the NFL, was property where I could hunt,” Considine explains.
“Each year, I added more property to my holdings to have my own place for me and my family to hunt. I really enjoy climbing onto my tractor and building, planting, fertilizing and managing the food plots on my land. I have improved the land so much that I have plenty of turkeys and deer on my own property to hunt. I love to spend time out there.”
We asked Considine which Mossy Oak pattern he liked the best.
“I like the Brush pattern the best for spring turkey hunting,” he answered. “In the fall, when I’m hunting for deer, I like the Break Up pattern.” On Super Bowl Sunday, Considine won’t have an opportunity to choose the clothes he wears for that special day. He’ll be wearing the black and blue of the Baltimore Ravens’ uniform. Instead of trying to outsmart a turkey or get a deer in close enough to take a shot, he’ll be trying to outplay the offense of the San Francisco 49ers, and stop the fast, strong, and heavy linemen on the punt-return team. As Considine has said before, he depends more on his brain and the techniques he’s learned to take down his opponents and to be able to stand up and walk away when the play ends. A hunter and a football player, Sean Considine has a passion for both.
To learn more about Mossy Oak, go to www.mossyoak.com. Outdoor Hub will be publishing more articles detailing Considine’s outdoors background in the lead up to the Super Bowl–keep checking back for more.
John, the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.
Phillips has been a contributor to many national magazines, has been affiliated with 27 radio stations across Alabama serving as their outdoor editor and wrote for a weekly syndicated column, "Alabama Outdoors," for 38-Alabama newspapers for more than 13 years. Phillips was Outdoor Editor for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" for 24 years. Phillips was also the executive editor for "Great Days Outdoors" magazine for 3 years.
The author of almost 30 books on the outdoors, Phillips is a founding member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and an active member of the Southeastern Outdoors Press Association (SEOPA). Phillips also is the owner of Night Hawk Publications, a marketing and publishing firm, and president of Creative Concepts, an outdoor consulting group.
Phillips conducts seminars across the nation at colleges in freelance writing, photography and outdoor education besides teaching courses in how to sell what you write to writers' groups. Phillips received his photography training as a still-lab photo specialist for six years in the Air Force. He was the chief photographer for Mannequins, Inc., a Birmingham modeling agency, for 11 years.
While serving as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Phillips was in charge of all press releases for the organization as well as serving as Chairman of Alabama's Big Buck Contest, which he founded more than 30 years ago. He also was president of the Alabama Sportsman's Association for three years.
Phillips is the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Governor of Alabama and the Department of Conservation for his work in the outdoor field. Phillips is vitally interested in the outdoors and travels the nation collecting personalities, stories and how-to information for his articles and features.
EDUCATION: B.S. degree from the University of West Alabama with a physical education major and a history minor.
EXPERIENCE: 10 years parttime and fulltime physical director for YMCAs and 34 years as a freelance writer, photographer, editor, book author, lecturer and daily-content provider for websites. Currently, Phillips is a field editor for Game and Fish Publications; serves on the editorial board of Grandview Media; is a regular contributor to 12 internet magazines and a daily content provider for 8 websites.
WRITING AWARDS: Runnerup - Best Outdoor Magazine Feature - 1981 - SEOPA; Certificate of Merit - Awarded by Alabama's Governor for writings on conservation; Most Outstanding Sports Writer in Southeast - 1983 & 1984; Best Outdoor Feature in Alabama, 1987 - Alabama Sportswriters' Association 3rd Place; Best Book of the Year - 1989 - SEOPA; 2007 - inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator; 2008 - received award naming him 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year from the Crossbow Manufacturers' Association; 2009 - GAMMA Honorable Mention for Consumer/Paid Best Essay for July/August 2008 in "Southern Sporting Journal."
