Ravens' Kruger to Serve as 'Celebrity Amabssador' at Kidney Walk

For Baltimore Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger, the 2012 football season will undoubtedly include some career firsts.

With the departure of longtime Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, Kruger is the odds-on favorite to seize the role. He’ll get his first legitimate shot to become a fulltime defensive starter, and with it, his inaugural chance to precede Baltimore icons like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs out of the tunnel on game day.

Prior to any of those career hallmarks, though, Kruger will be taking part in another first in his life, headlining a charity event—one that truly hits close to home.

In partnership with the Nation Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Kruger will serve as the celebrity ambassador at the 10^th annual Baltimore Kidney Walk, set to take place Sunday, May 6, at the Baltimore Zoo.

“Immediately when I heard about it I was excited to be involved,” Kruger said. “There’s nothing more rewarding, in my mind, than being able to give back in a good way, especially when it’s a cause that’s kind of close to home that you can really relate to.

"I've never headlined one like this before, so it's going to be my first and I'm pretty honored to be able to do it."

At the age of 13, Kruger lost one of his kidneys, as well as his spleen, when the Jeep he was off-roading in with family and friends—none of whom were wearing seatbelts—overturned atop a mountain in his home state of Utah. Thrown from his seat, Kruger lay directly in the path of vehicle as it careened back down the hill. The Jeep’s roll bar smashed directly into his stomach.

The only passenger to suffer serious injury, Kruger, now 26, spent six weeks at the hospital including about a month in intensive care. He said he lost so much weight and strength while in the hospital that he had to relearn how to walk.

“It was rough,” Kruger said. “But you know how it is when you’re younger. You don’t realize how rough it is until you look back. It was something I went through and I’m grateful now that I came out okay.”  

Well aware that his injuries could have been far worse, Kruger is eager to use his platform to extend support and offer advice to individuals undergoing the same physical strains.  

“One of the things that I would say is just find ways to enjoy yourself,” Kruger said. “Even though it’s hard and it’s not going to stop, you’ve got to find ways to make yourself laugh and enjoy your day and stay close to the people that love you and stay close to god and take pride in those types of things.”

Kruger’s role will also include recruiting participants for the Kidney Walk, which event organizers expect will draw as many as 2,000 people. He will also cut the ceremonial ribbon and lead the 1.6 mile walk through the zoo.

Entry is free for zoo members and costs just $10 (in donation or raised money) for everyone else. Those who raise over $100 receive a free Kidney Walk T-shirt.

Proceeds will directly support NKF-MD’s patient services, education and research efforts. For more information call 410-494-8545 or visit www.kidneywalk.org.