Michael Crabtree 'bribed' with free crab cakes for life

By Ross Kelly March 18, 2018 at 5:57am

When it comes to an NFL player selecting a new team in free agency, even the slightest of things can set one team apart from the rest.

For Richard Sherman, the ability to play his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, twice a year helped lure him to the 49ers.

For running back Carlos Hyde, the chance to play in front of friends and family in his native Ohio helped bring him to the Browns.

For Michael Crabtree, getting crab cakes for life may have not helped lure him to Baltimore, but it certainly didn’t hurt.

The former Raider signed a three-year deal with the Ravens on Friday after spending his entire 9-year career in The Bay Area. While the Ravens were recruiting him, another Baltimore establishment was doing the same — Jimmy’s Seafood was putting on the full-court press.

Dear @KingCrab15, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are The Crab Cake Kings. Big fans of your work. Hey look – the Ravens are going to come calling soon, and we like them a lot. So uh…sign the deal, and become the 6th member of the Crab Cakes For Life Club. K thanks bye. 🦀 pic.twitter.com/Hc0O0AB51l

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) March 15, 2018

✈️ Waiting For @KingCrab15 Like…🦀 pic.twitter.com/dGIz42Uazt

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) March 16, 2018

Crabtree eventually did sign with Baltimore and Jimmy’s Seafood and that was supposed to be the biggest news of the day in Baltimore sports.

Then UMBC happened. The University of Maryland Baltimore County pulled off the biggest upset in NCAA Tourament history and defeated the No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers.

Would you sign up for a lifetime supply of free seafood?

With Crabtree signed, sealed and delivered, Jimmy’s Seafood then shifted its focus towards UMBC while also throwing a jab at the NCAA.

HUGE Congrats to @UMBCAthletics! #ShockTheWorld #MarylandPride🐕 🏀

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) March 17, 2018

Of course, we’d offer the @UMBCAthletics Hoops Team some crab cakes this week, but the @NCAA is a scam and would deem it a violation.

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) March 17, 2018

Seeing how cream cheese was once deemed an NCAA violation, there’s a good chance crab cakes would be the same.

Fortunately a pro athlete like Crabtree doesn’t have to worry about that, and he became the sixth athlete to join the “Crab Cakes for Life” club.

Others include the recently released Jeremy Maclin, Manny Machado and Chris Davis of the Orioles, Justin Jackson of the Sacramento Kings and pro wrestler Roman Reigns.

There could soon be a seventh athlete to join the list as Jimmy’s Seafood is now courting tight end Eric Ebron, formerly of the Lions.

.@Ebron85 Hey fam, we know you’re excited about the Heels winning today. Heck, we are too. But we got work to do. Sign that deal and enjoy all the crab cakes your heart desires. And lobster. And oysters. And shrimp. You and @KingCrab15? Mercy! pic.twitter.com/OZ6kWmCtQd

— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) March 16, 2018

Unfortunately for Jimmy’s Seafood, they may have to up the offer in order to lure Ebron. The tight end met with the Panthers on Friday and has a visit lined up with the Jets, so Baltimore has some competition for his services.

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