Return to Baltimore holds special meaning for…

GREEN BAY – Oct. 15, 2017, is a date Adrian Amos will forever hold close to his heart.

What started as a homecoming game for the Baltimore native, who grew up idolizing Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, ended with Amos catching his first NFL interception off Joe Flacco and returning it for a 90-yard touchdown to help propel the Chicago Bears to a 27-24 overtime win over his childhood team.

Among those in attendance was Amos’ grandmother, Geraldine Thompson. A central figure in Amos’ life, Thompson watched from a skybox at M&T Bank Stadium that day. Before passing away in 2020, Thompson had battled Alzheimer’s disease since 2012 but remained proud of her grandson throughout it all.

Following Thompson’s passing in 2020, Amos donated $1,000 for every tackle he had to the Alzheimer’s Association. He finished the year with a team-high 83.

“I’ve still got the video of her reacting to it,” said Amos of his pick-six that day. “For her to be able to see me in that game, it was her first NFL game she got to see me play, so that was a big time with all my family. Everybody was there that game.”

And most everybody will again be at this Sunday’s game between the Packers and Ravens. Amos estimated he’s already purchased around 20 tickets for his immediate family with many other friends and relatives expected to attend.

Amos’ situation is quite a bit different today than it was in 2017. He returns as a bona-fide playmaker, having recorded 512 tackles, nine interceptions and five sacks in 105 regular-season games (101) starts.

Since 2019, Amos has been a staple in the Packers’ secondary with 2,870 defensive snaps played. He’s currently second the team with 71 tackles to go along with seven passes defensed and a pair of interceptions.

The challenge is also much greater with former NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson leading Baltimore’s offense and trusted tight end Mark Andrews (75 catches, 926 yards and six touchdowns) in the midst of another Pro Bowl season.

Jackson hasn’t practiced yet this week due to an ankle injury, but Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week he’s expecting his MVP quarterback to be available.