An undrafted rookie who doesn't even have his name on the back of his jersey yet, Robby Felix understands his chances of making the Ravens this season.
But beating those odds doesn't worry the team's newest center.
Just six months ago, Felix suffered a stroke, a frightening medical ordeal that changed the 22-year-old's life forever.
"I think about it a lot," Felix said Wednesday after his second NFL practice. "I'm scared of having another stroke. But I have to fight through it and go on with my life."
His fight began Nov. 16, a day after his final college home game, when he felt the right side of his body shut down during a shower.
Felix caught himself before he fell, but he couldn't speak. He hopped out of the shower and got the attention of his wife, Kelly, who was five months' pregnant with the couple's first child.
By the time he got to a hospital, he could move his foot and say a couple of words. Because of his age and quick medical attention, he regained movement and the ability to speak six days later.
"At that point, I didn't even know if I would play again," Felix said. "They told me it was a stroke, but I didn't really know what that was."
A stroke is a disease that affects the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, according to the American Heart Association's Web site.
No one was willing to take a chance on Felix, a four-year starter at Texas-El Paso who had hopes of being drafted as high as the third round. Not only did every team pass on him in the draft, but he also didn't get a call to sign as a free agent.
Felix finally decided to give up on his NFL dream and agreed to work construction for his aunt and uncle in California before his first NFL team contacted him.
"I was shocked," he said of the call from the Ravens.
After two minicamps, the Ravens were looking to improve their depth on the offensive line. Team officials had rated Felix as a draftable prospect and continued to study his case.
The Ravens invited Felix for a workout and a physical Monday. They signed the 6-foot-3, 295-pound lineman after he passed every test.
"We didn't feel like there was any added risk," said Eric DeCosta, the Ravens' director of player personnel. "We feel like he has the situation under control. We feel comfortable that he won't have another [stroke].
"With our comfort level, we think he has a chance to compete and make the team as a backup center."
