Although old for a rookie, Fein, at 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, caught the eyes of scouts at Mississippi's Pro Day, where the school's football players audition for scouts before the NFL draft. The Ravens drafted Michael Oher, an offensive tackle from Mississippi, with their first pick this past April, and signed fullback Jason Cook as another undrafted free agent from the school.
Fein served for a year in Iraq as a 19 Delta recon scout. As a recon scout, Fein told The Baltimore Sun earlier this month, "you're the eyes and ears of the commander."
He has also been shot at and had to deal with roadside bombs, he said.
"You're out there assessing what the enemy has, the capabilities, the numbers and stuff like that," Fein said. "Football gets tough, with the heat and physical demands. But at least I know I'm going to be alive today. And tomorrow."
Fein played quarterback and linebacker at South Kitsap High in Port Orchard, Wash. After graduation, he worked as a roofer for a year before joining the Army to make money for college. He served for 3 1/2 years. When he got out, he played football at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. He earned a scholarship to Ole Miss, where he finished second on the team in tackles his junior year. He went on to win the Pat Tillman Patriot Award, which is given to a football player who also saw military action.
During his senior year at Ole Miss, Fein and the Rebels' new coach, Houston Nutt, had a disagreement, supposedly over a run-in Fein had with the academic staff. He had to earn his way back from the bottom of the depth chart, but had a strong second-half of the season, finishing with 52 tackles to rank third on the team. He also had a key tackle in the Rebels' upset win over top-ranked Florida.
Although he knows he's likely a long shot to make the Ravens - he's listed fourth on the depth chart at strongside linebacker - Fein told The Baltimore Sun he has cherished his opportunity with the team. In the Ravens' first exhibition game on Aug. 13 against the Washington Redskins, Fein had a solo special teams tackle.
"It's just been a great experience, with Ray Lewis here and being around [Terrell] Suggs and guys of that caliber," Fein said. "It's just a dream come true, really. To be out here to compete and ... learn with some of the best football players of the world."
