What the 20/20 Club Taught Me About Grit and Work Ethic

Recently, I helped my college-aged stepson with a school assignment, and it left me thinking about a bigger question: Are we teaching young people enough about grit and the importance of building a strong foundation in work ethic?

There is no single path into a career, and success rarely arrives all at once. Often, it begins with a willingness to take an opportunity, learn from the people around you, and contribute wherever you are needed. I have seen that firsthand in professional football, and the stories of the Baltimore Ravens’ “20/20 Club” bring that lesson to life.

Starting at the bottom—and learning everything

The “20/20 Club” was a nickname for young Ravens personnel staffers, often in their twenties and earning about $20,000 a year. They started in entry-level roles, doing the work that kept the department moving while learning how scouting and player personnel decisions were made.

My brother-in-law, Eric DeCosta, began that way. Early on, he shuttled free-agent players to and from the airport in a van without a backseat. He answered phones because the organization did not yet have a receptionist. He took on whatever else needed doing, at any hour and on any day of the week. None of those tasks may have seemed glamorous, but each one was an opportunity to show that he could be counted on.

That willingness to help became part of a much longer journey. Today, Eric is the Ravens’ general manager and one of the most respected leaders in professional football. The job still demands long hours and constant commitment. The title changed; the work ethic and responsibility did not.

An opportunity earned through preparation

Another story from the 20/20 Club is that of Jim Schwartz. After playing linebacker at Georgetown and working as a graduate assistant and assistant coach at several colleges, Schwartz met Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick briefly at a coaches convention in 1993. The Browns’ personnel leaders learned about Schwartz’s coaching background and strong academic record, then invited him to interview for a demanding, unpaid position.

Schwartz turned down a few small-college positions to keep that opportunity open. The job required long hours and offered no salary, but he was certain it was the work he desired. Following an interview and evaluation, the Browns hired him. This led to roles as the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as head coach for the Detroit Lions. His journey illustrates that preparation is crucial—and that occasionally, a short conversation can open doors when your work and reputation make a lasting impression.

A culture that develops people

The Ravens’ personnel department has seen many scouts grow into greater responsibilities and move on to leadership roles elsewhere. That is part of building a strong organization: people are taught, trusted, and given opportunities to develop. When experienced scouts leave, the team promotes and trains others who have learned the work from within.

Joe Hortiz, now the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, is one example. He joined the Ravens as a personnel assistant at 22, worked his way through scouting roles, and eventually became the director of college scouting. Daniel Jeremiah also began as a young Ravens personnel assistant before building a career as an NFL Network draft analyst. Their paths were different, but both reflect the value of learning the details, listening closely, and earning trust over time.

The lesson is not that young people should accept poor treatment or sacrifice every part of their lives to prove themselves. Daniel Jeremiah has spoken honestly about how the intense schedule affected his family and how unsustainable it felt. That matters, too. Grit is not simply working endlessly; it is showing commitment, learning from challenges, and making thoughtful choices about the life and career you want.

What we can teach the next generation

We can encourage young people to pursue opportunities at every level—professional, college, high school, or youth sports—and to value the experience they gain along the way. We can teach them to be dependable, curious, prepared, and willing to contribute as part of a team. We can also remind them that asking questions, learning from mentors, and understanding their own limits are signs of good judgment, not weakness.

Most of all, we can help them understand that success is rarely about one moment or one connection. A connection may help you get in the door, but what you do after that matters. Trust is built through consistent effort, humility, and follow-through.

Helping my stepson with his assignment reminded me that grit and work ethic are not just ideas to discuss—they are values we teach through our example. The 20/20 Club stories show what can happen when people are given a chance, put in the work, and learn from those around them. A strong career foundation is built one task, one lesson, and one opportunity at a time.