He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Delaware. He was the 18th overall pick by the Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
In his rookie year, he threw for 2,971 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12
interceptions while starting all 16 regular season games, and became only the eighth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game.
By leading the Ravens to two road wins in the 2008-09 NFL Playoffs, he became the first rookie quarterback in league history to win two playoff games. In his second season, Flacco improved to 3,613 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, and set single season franchise records for completion percentage (63.1) and quarterback rating (88.9). In his third year in the NFL, Flacco became first all time in Ravens history for passing yards (10,206) and passing touchdowns (60).
By starting in two playoff games in 2009, Flacco earned the record for most starts by a quarterback in the first two seasons in NFL history (37).
Flacco became the first quarterback to bring his team to the playoffs in his first five seasons, winning a game in each. In 2013 ESPN Analyst Ron Jaworski said that Flacco has the strongest arm in the NFL.
Flacco led the Ravens in a 34-31 win in Super Bowl XLVII, and was named the game's MVP.
