When Jon Dubé started his NFL profession recent out of highschool, he by no means dreamed it might final 41 years.
Dubé retired as Senior Video Operations Advisor efficient June 1, forsaking an inventory of spectacular accomplishments. He led the Ravens’ soccer video operations from the inception of the franchise in 1996, becoming a member of the group in its transfer to Baltimore after spending 13 years (1983-95) with the Browns. He retires because the Ravens’ most seasoned NFL staffer.
“It’s been an awesome experience working with some outstanding individuals,” Dubé stated. “My feelings are blended, however the journey has been unimaginable.”
Known as an innovator within the sports activities video trade, Dubé was liable for implementing the NFL’s cutting-edge gameday expertise, in accordance with video guidelines and laws. He headed a group liable for offering Baltimore’s teaching and scouting staffs with sport and follow footage, in addition to opponent and school footage from the NFL’s Club Game Exchange Network.
In 2004, he was on the forefront of transitioning the group to digital video, which offered coaches simpler entry to video knowledge. Through this laptop software program, coaches have since been capable of create their very own cutups of practices and video games, making the method extra streamlined.
Dubé served as a member of the NFL Video Directors Committee for 13 years (2011-23) and was named the 2017 Collegiate Sports Video Association’s NFL Hall of Fame Award winner. He was the primary lively video director to obtain the celebrated award.
“After 41 years working in each Cleveland and as our video director in Baltimore, Jon Dubé is retiring,” General Manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged. “‘Dube’ is without doubt one of the most loyal, devoted and efficient leaders the Ravens have recognized. I’ve loved his friendship and appreciated his means to craft one of many NFL’s perfect video departments yearly. Congratulations to Jon and [his wife] Diane. We are very excited for his or her new adventures forward.”
Dubé’s ardour for video started when he began working for the Browns out of highschool. The extra he realized, the higher he received, however the Ohio native nearly did not make the transfer from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1996.
“There was no assure that I’d be provided a job when the franchise moved,” Dubé stated. “My boss in Cleveland waited till the final minute to say he wasn’t going to Baltimore. After that occurred, I used to be invited to return. I even had one other job lined up if I wasn’t coming to Baltimore.
“The first couple of years in Baltimore had been loopy, working for a brand new franchise. But it created fairly a bond inside the group, all people working collectively to assist one another construct one thing particular.”
Dubé’s typical work week was a whirlwind, particularly throughout the season. After filming a sport, Dubé and his employees had been liable for distributing footage and cutups to coaches and gamers so they may overview the sport rapidly and start getting ready for the following one. At each Ravens follow throughout the season, Dubé filmed from his typical sideline publish. There was stress within the job, however Dubé at all times introduced ardour to his work.
“I used to be a part of a tightknit video division that had one another’s backs,” Dubé stated. “Sure there’s a bit stress, however we divided and conquered. A half-hour after a sport, you are getting that sport video into the gamers and coaches’ arms to allow them to check out it on the best way house. The expertise we have now now lets you try this big-time.
“I wasn’t even a sports activities form of man in highschool, I used to be extra into vehicles and bikes. But as soon as I used to be across the group, the sunshine bulb went off. Being round a group mentally helped me be the person I ended up being, educating me life expertise. We labored arduous, however we additionally had enjoyable.”
One of Dubé’s fondest reminiscences stays Baltimore’s final Super Bowl victory in opposition to the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, watching the confetti fall and the celebration start.
“I used to be breaking down my gear and attempting to get right down to the sphere as quick as I might, simply taking within the second like everybody else with the Ravens,” Dubé stated. “That’s what you do that entire factor for. If you are working for a soccer group, you wish to win a championship. That’s the top aim.”
Dubé’s new ardour would be the Forney House Bed & Breakfast that he owns along with his spouse, Diane. Their mattress & breakfast has develop into one other labor of affection.
“During the pandemic after we shut down at house, my spouse and I stated, ‘Let’s discover one thing collectively that we might actually get pleasure from doing,'” Dubé stated.
“It was meant to be,” Dubé added. “In July of 2020, we bought our home in a day and closed on the place. It was an insane factor to do – I do not know what number of occasions we checked out one another with furnishings and stuff in every single place considering, ‘Are we loopy?’ God bless my spouse. I give her many of the credit score for actually getting it rolling and thus far, so good.”
The 59-year-old Dubé plans to have hip substitute surgical procedure on June 6, then will dive into the mattress & breakfast enterprise full time. But a part of his coronary heart will at all times be with the Ravens. He will not be filming practices and video games anymore, however he’ll be rooting for them.
“What I’m going to overlook is the relationships and the individuals I work with,” Dubé stated. “They’re like my household. I’ll undoubtedly miss the camaraderie and sense of function that comes with being part of this outstanding group. It’s very particular to be a Raven.”
