Zay Flowers: NSU University School grad says, 'I’ll learn from my mistakes'

Second half fumble mars what was a sensational rookie season

Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, a graduate of NSU University High in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, made several big plays in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, but the one he didn’t make may linger a bit for him and Ravens' fans.

Trailing the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 in the third quarter, Flowers, who scored Baltimore’s only touchdown of the game on a 30-yard reception in the first quarter, was guilty of two costly mistakes which may have completely turned the tide on Baltimore’s comeback bid.

Flowers provided a huge boost to the Ravens’ offense with a 54-yard catch and run that ended inside the Kansas City 20. At the end of the play, however, he was called for taunting, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. A couple of plays later he nearly redeemed himself as he grabbed a slant throw from quarterback Lamar Jackson and lunged into the end zone. But, before he reached the goal-line, Chiefs defender L’Jarius Sneed knocked the ball from his grasp and KC recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchback.

Kansas City would go on to win, 17-10, and advance to the Super Bowl.

To make matters even worse for Flowers, he let his frustration boil over on the sideline, slamming is hand into a bench, while throwing his helmet, and lacerating his finger.

Flowers thought he may have crossed the goal-line before the ball was jarred loose, but replays confirmed that the officials made the right call.

"Yeah, I thought I did, honestly," Flowers told reporters after the game. "But I'll learn from my mistakes."

Flowers caught nine balls for 156-yards in his first two playoff games, including five for 115 on Sunday, and a touchdown. During the regular season he led the Ravens with 77 catches for 858-yards and five touchdowns.

Baltimore selected Flowers with its first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, out of Boston College. In college he made 200 receptions for 3,056-yards and 29 touchdowns. Largely because of his smaller size (5-9, 182-pounds), he was only rated as 3-Star prospect in high school, but he was a two-way standout for University, playing wide receiver and defensive back, and helping his team make back-to-back state semifinal appearances.