OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is known for hanging out after training camp practice to give autographs to fans. On Tuesday, he received something special in return.

A Special Olympics athlete gave Flacco a medal that he had won and wrote a message on the ribbon that read: "Never Give Up. Love, Stephen." Flacco wore the medal around his neck as he continued signing and taking pictures with the 60 Special Olympics athletes who visited practice.

"You can tell how much it meant to him," Flacco said. "It's definitely really cool to see that raw excitement."

A Special Olympics athlete gave Joe Flacco a medal that he had won and wrote a message on the ribbon that read: "Never Give Up. Love, Stephen." Jamison Hensley

Flacco has supported Special Olympics since he joined the Ravens in 2008. He has filmed TV commercials for the organization and he has regularly appeared at the Polar Bear Plunge, its annual fundraiser.

"Everything they do is just so genuine," Flacco said. "You've got to love it. You can just tell how excited they are. They wear everything on their sleeve, and it's really refreshing to be around them."