OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- When Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley was 14, his parents bought two cocker spaniels for Christmas after Stanley had begged his parents to get a dog for years.
Eight days later, a babysitter accidentally left open the gate to the pool and one of the puppies drowned. Stanley was headed home after having a great basketball game when he learned his dog had died.
"I definitely took it hard, feeling helpless,” Stanley said. "I couldn’t do anything. It was tough.”
Now, 13 years later, the All-Pro left tackle has become a driving force to help dogs in need.