The surname is among the most famous in Baltimore sports history. Now there’s another Flacco on the local football field.
Towson University’s newest quarterback is Tom Flacco. He's the younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
His journey to Towson has been anything but the norm.
"It's been bizarre, really. I went to Western Michigan, thought things were going to happen there. Went to Rutgers, same thing. Now I'm here," said Tom. "It doesn't matter how you got here. I'm happy to be here."
The 23-year-old transfer said his game on the field is totally different than his older brother's.
"Joe's 6-foot-6. I'm 6-foot. I'm a little bit quicker in short spaces than Joe is," said Tom.
But away from football they're not so different at all.
"Off the field we're pretty similar guys. Pretty low-key. Joe's a little bit nerdier... not nerdy but I'm probably a little bit more outgoing than Joe," added Tom.
With all that nerdy talk it doesn't sound like the bros. are hanging out all that much. Or it might just be the beginning of football season.
"I don't see him. He's right around the corner but I leave him alone," said Joe. "Listen, I'm a 33-year-old with five kids. He's in a little bit different situation. So, he's right in the middle of camp right now. It should be a good time for him."
How does Joe think his brother compares to him on the field?
"He's a lot smaller. He's a lot more athletic, has a good arm. So, I think it should help him out," said Joe.
Tom has two years of college eligibility remaining. In that time he’s not trying to be the next Joe Cool. He’s just trying to be the first Towson Tom.
"That will happen over time just by our teammates going out there and winning," he said. "No one will really care who is at quarterback. They'll just be able to be excited to go watch Towson play and watch our offense do our thing."
Tom is competing with incumbent Ryan Stover and freshman Jeff Miller for the starting quarterback job.
The Tigers open the season at Morgan State, on September 1, in the Battle for Greater Baltimore.
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