Baltimore's Pride and Joy

My son asked me to write a blog about the Baltimore Ravens and so, my favorite nineteen year old son, this one is for you! (If I get any facts wrong, I am sure you will correct me and I will edit :-)

My husband and two sons are huge Baltimore Ravens football fans.  They watch every game, go to almost every home game and wear their purple and black proud.  Last year our Ravens went to the divisional championship game in Foxsboro and we made the trek as a family, getting to spend the weekend in Boston, seeing some snow and then the guys painted their faces purple, put on their Ravens bling and headed out in freezing cold weather to watch our boys take on Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Last year we came up short.  This year was something quite different.  We lost 4 of our last 5 regular season games, but still slid into the playoffs, hearing from our superstar and hero, Ray Lewis, that this would be his last ride...he was retiring.  The magic began.  We had to win this one for Ray!  His squirrel dance was being done throughout the state.  His name was on everyone's lips.  His face was plastered on every shirt, billboard and web page.  We would do this one for Ray!

We won our first game against the Colts then had to take on Payton Manning and the Denver Broncos.  We were the underdogs going in, but our boys stomped over the quarterback legend and marched back into Foxsboro to take on Tom Brady once again. My Brians went to this one on a bus trip and Dakota and I watched from my brother in laws here in Maryland.  Once again, we were underdogs.  Watching the Patriot's quarterback struggle and look like he wanted to cry was a high point in Baltimore football.  And yes, once again, we trounced all over another elite quarterback, winning the division and....wait for it.....here it comes....sending us to  Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans!  Ray Lewis was on everyone's tv screen, praising God and crying tears of joy.  The city rallied around him.  The fever was high.  How could Ray's last ride end with anything but a win? And, to add to the fun, the brothers Harbaugh would be coaching on opposite sides...gorgeous John for us and our quarterback of the past, brother Jim, for the San Francisco 49er's.  The media was in a frenzy.  So much to report!  The brothers would remain true to each other and a class act throughout and the nation came together to watch the Harbaugh family face the ultimate football challenge.

Sunday was long awaited here in Baltimore and the city was awash with purple lights. People everywhere donned their purple gear and the city was on a high, waiting for their beloved Ravens to play.  Unfortunately, since my husband has a herniated disc and is fairly immobile at this time, we had to miss the party at my brother in laws, but we were together, here at home and my three boys and I watched a spectacular game together, cheering when we led 28 to 6 at the half.  After a fabulous half time show by Beyonce where we had to roll up my son's tongue and stuff it back in his mouth ;-) we came back out and began the second half.  Seconds later half the SuperDome went black...... While we waited for light to be restored the commentators went on and on about how this was going to change the momentum of the game, so when play resumed and the 49er's staged a comeback, the blame went to the shift in momentum, however, I always believed they would stage a comeback regardless.  They are too good to just lay down.

In the end, we won 34-31 and it came down to the last seconds, as a good game should.  Purple and white confetti rained down, Ray Lewis's smile could have lit the stadium itself if the lights had gone back out and Joe Flacco was named Player of the Game and the right to be called an elite quarterback.  My guys were ecstatic, of course, and ran outside (the boys, not dad lol) screaming and waving flags and hooting and hollering.  I am so happy for them.

Yesterday was the big parade downtown.  Over 200, 000 people lined the streets and filled the stadium to greet the players.  Coverage was nationwide on tv, where big Brian and I watched, and Kris supervised the boys downtown.  Brian David was able to get right in the middle of the action at the stadium and Kris and Koda ended up getting really lucky and being second in line to see the parade go by and Koda got to high five Joe Flacco.  All was right with the world lol.  Now we are reigning Super Bowl champions for a year and we have bragging rights against all others.  Congratulations Baltimore Ravens and to my three boys, I love you and I am so happy you got to have this experience!



















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