NFL: Purple passion

By Chrys Kefalas CPKSports Editor-in-Chief

BALTIMORE, MD. The modern athlete, how do you describe them? Greedy, disinterested in the fan, or mercenaries?

Just a long fly ball from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where those adjectives might apply, stands a Mecca of a city’s and team’s love for each other, PSINet Stadium. The players connect with the fans. The fans legitimately care about the players.

“I have met everyone one of the players on the Ravens, each one is approachable,” said ‘Raven Mary,’ a Raven fanatic who makes sure to attend almost every appearance of a Ravens’ player.

When asked about the Orioles, she replied: “A good friend took his son to Oriole Park about two o’clock in the morning to greet the team when they returned from a road trip. His son’s favorite player was Rafeal Palmeiro and the child asked for an autograph. Palmeiro didn’t even turn around to give the kid a wave, he ignored him.

“That would never happen with one of the Ravens, I don’t care who he is.”

John Buren, a long time Sports anchor at CBS Television Affiliate WJZ-Baltimore, said: “I have covered many teams and players during my years in sports, this team is a special. They care to know what is going on in your life, just as much as you want to know what is going on in theirs.”

Upon defeating the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the playoffs, the Ravens returned to an estimated 3,000 gathered fans in the International terminal of the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Players and coaches alike were stunned by the crowd. After winning the AFC Champion crown in Oakland, thousands of fans greeted the team at 3:30 AM. ET. Prior to leaving for Tampa, a hoard of Raven fans gathered in the city’s Inner Harbor for a Ravens Super Bowl send-off.

And, on arriving to their training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland, 1,000 fans welcomed the Super Bowl Champions despite requests on behalf of the franchise to wait to greet them on Tuesday’s parade. The team really didn’t mind.

As David Modell exited his vehicle, he joined with Ravens’ head coach Brian Billick and took the Vince Lombardi trophy to the fans. Modell held the trophy high and many fans were able to place their fingers on a trophy that eluded the city for thirty years.

“Fans were responsible for the team’s success -- If we don’t share it with them, shame on us,” said Baltimore Ravens CEO David Modell.

Players, including kick return hero Jermaine Lewis, shook the hands of fans and signed some autographs for the masses assembled.

Jermaine Lewis, just weeks after losing a son, still was taken aback by this moment in his life. Of Baltimore’s reaction to their victory and his experience as a member of the Ravens’ team, he stated: “I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”

The fans in attendance could not get enough of their Champions. It was something many had never experienced before in their lifetimes.

Tim Schwartz, 35, exclaimed: “It feels good to be a Baltimorean, this team makes me proud.”

Tim isn’t the only one. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, using this team’s success as a way to promote the city’s revival, stated: “The entire city embraces this team -- white, black, young, old, rich, and poor. They embody the city’s working class spirit -- our resilience.”

“This is fantastic. It is a good way to promote how great Baltimore is.”

While some players went straight to the Ravens’ practice facility, defensive tackle Sam Adams went to celebrate with his fans at the Twanda Rec. Center. Throughout the year, Adams routinely visited this Police Athletic league site to help young members of the inner city community.

“We won this collectively as a team and as a community,” stated Adams.

At Monday morning’s Super Bowl press conference, Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis was asked why he was going back to Baltimore instead of flying directly to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.

“My fans have been incredibly supportive of me all season. Without going back to them, I would feel like I was cheating them,” answered a hoarse voiced Lewis.

The mutual relationship, between players and fans, also includes a sincere appreciation for the job and commitment of Ravens owner Art Modell.

When Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore from Cleveland he was vilified in the press, including by some writers in Baltimore. Baltimore did not want to steal a team. The NFL, however, left no other option. Cleveland received a sweetheart compensation deal for their loss and Baltimore quickly embraced the man who brought the NFL back.

As Art Modell received the Vince Lombardi trophy fans, gathered at Baltimore’s Costas Inn, put forth their loudest ovation of the night. And, after Modell’s words some fans had tears running down their faces.

Holding the sparkling silver Trophy, Modell said: “To the people of Baltimore City, to the people of Baltimore County, to all the people of Maryland, this belongs to you.”

A fitting tribute to the passion the people of Maryland have for this Ravens team.

Years will go by and Baltimoreans will always recall 2001 and this Ravens team. How will they be remembered?

A special group of players, coaches, and staff that were embraced by a city, who showed a commitment and appreciation to Baltimore hard to find in this new era of sports.

Baltimore-- perhaps this team was worth the wait.

Article provided courtesy of www.cpksports.com