An Insider Experience: A Ravens Fan

 Alongside the many places, people and things I adore about my beloved Baltimore there's one thing I might love more than all - the Baltimore Ravens. Between purple friday's at my quaker school and the basements I spent years in - plastered with jerseys and purple couch cushions I sure do love being a Ravens fan. Maybe it's the fact the franchise is young - founded in 1996 or the fact I was lucky enough to see my team play so many times as a child the traditions and energy of Baltimore on game day is something I wouldn't trade for the world. To feel a part of something so much bigger than myself and have memories like banging pots and pans after winning the super bowl in 2013 each year I feel more connected to Ravens. 

This past year I fell deeper into my love for the team as I got to experience my friends grow a love for them to. Although both prideful Eagles and Patriots fans my friends dove head first into the Baltimore experience as the Ravens went on to host the AFC championship this year for the first time. Proudly I got to relieve my game day traditions alongside them, and grow a new appreciation for them. 

In true Baltimore fashion leading up to the game I grew shockingly superstitious and grunted at anyone who spoke about the outcome of the game too soon. I decorated my college house in any and all of the memorabilia I possessed - flags, pillows, jerseys, blankets, flowers, purple and black were everywhere. We then began to plan what to wear, which jersey, what pants, how much purple is too much purple I thought? 

Celebrating the cold game day surrounded by friends we chanted our favorite music and superstitiously wore our lucky jerseys. Covered in pride I sported a Lamar Jackson jersey, purple camo pants my leather Baltimore ravens Jacket and a lucky bracelet I've had since a kid. It was now time to venture down to the heart and soul of the city for the big game. As I warned my friends about how crazy and fun it would be, and how passionate us Ravens fans are they were stunned to see how many people - like us ventured downtown. 

Half our friends split from our side and entered M&T bank stadium for the game, while I dragged the rest of the crew to the only place to go - Mothers in Federal Hill. As you can imagine, I was adamant on not straying from tradition and forcefully following the pattern of previous game days (as I naively believed if I strayed from routine the outcome of the game would change). 

Upon arrival we ordered old bay wings and Natty Boh in true Baltimore Fashion. I could feel my jaw increasingly ache as I nervously waited for the game to begin. Through some shockingly unfortunate calls and a beautiful day in Baltimore the game ended, we had lost. 

Although I would've loved to see my team go on to the superbowl, and how I absolutely hate the team we lost to, I was proud. As I always am, I adore the city of Baltimore and our team, because win are lose we did it together. Our team is full of humble men who truly love the game of football (which cannot be said for the team we lost to). 

I always say that the Baltimore Ravens are only as good as the players that want to be here, the players that embrace this city in all its flaws and we finally have that team. This team was something I haven't seen since 2013, a team that loved each other, died their hair purple, dove head first into the traditions and fanbase Baltimore has created. I could not be more excited to see what the next few years in Baltimore will mean for the Ravens but sure cannot wait for the next game day .