When we think of certain cities around the United States, particular images pop into our minds. For instance, there is a clear link to names of several NFL teams, and the regions they represent. That includes the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots. Meanwhile, the origins of other NFL teams’ names are more obscure. For instance, the Chicago Bears shared Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs. Due to football players generally being larger than baseball players are, the Bears were named as such.
The Baltimore Ravens is another team with a storied team name. Baltimore is not the world’s raven capital. Instead, the “Baltimore Sun” newspaper held a contest to name the new NFL franchise. The name “Ravens” honors the American poet Edgar Allan Poe. He wrote the renowned poem “The Raven,” with the famous refrain, “Nevermore.” While Poe was actually born in Boston, he wrote the poem while residing in Baltimore.
RAVENS EARLY HISTORY
How did the NFL team named after a poem, get to Baltimore? After the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, the city began its search for a new team. In 1993, Baltimore was heavily favored to win one of the NFL’s two new expansion teams. However, the teams went to Charlotte and Jacksonville instead.
Nevertheless, Baltimore continued to fight for an NFL team and the opportunity to sport new NFL Sports Merchandise. Then from 1994-1995, the city successfully convinced the Cleveland Browns’ owner Art Modell, to move his team to Baltimore. However, the Baltimore Ravens would technically exist as a new expansion team. They won their first game 19-14, in a home contest against the Oakland Raiders. However, the first season was a huge disappointment. Though the Ravens led in 11 out of 16 games, they finished with a forgettable record of 4-12.
RAVENS 2000 SEASON
The year 2000 was a magical year for the Ravens. Their accomplishments during that year include:
Trent Dilfer’s becoming the starting Quarterback for the Ravens, due to the low productivity of QB Tony Banks
Dilfer’s going 7-0 for the games that he started in
Allowing the least number of points in a 16-season game (165 points, or 10.3 points per game).
The defense shutting out opponents four times during the regular season
The defense allowing fewer than 10 points, in 9 games.
The Ravens being huge underdogs against the Titans in the Divisional Playoffs, yet defeating them 24-10.
The Ravens being big underdogs against the Riders. However, the defense was again relentless, giving reasons for their fans sporting NFL Merchandise, to cheer. Baltimore won 16-3.
RAVENS IN THE SUPER BOWL
Super Bowl XXXV (2000)
In just their fifth season in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens would face the New York Giants, in Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens defense in the championship game was superb:
It only allowed 152 total yards
It allowed no offensive scoring
It forced 5 turnovers
It earned 4 sacks
The first half was all Ravens. At halftime, they were only up 10-0. However, the Ravens’ defense had given them the edge. They intercepted the Giants’ Kerry Collins after New York had marched to the Raven’s 29-yard line.
In the second half, the Ravens’ defense continued to dominate. Duane Starks picked off a Collins’ toss and returned it 49 yards for another Ravens TD. Baltimore was up 17-0. The Giants’ Ron Dixon ran back the next kickoff, for a 97-yard touchdown. Nevertheless, Jermaine Lewis thrilled fans with gear from a Baltimore Ravens Merchandise Sale, as he ran back his own kickoff for a touchdown, after covering 84 yards of the filed. The Ravens had a commanding 24-7 lead late in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Ravens racked up another 10 points. Jamal Lewis rushed for a 3-yard TD, while a Giants’ fumble led to another Ravens field goal. Ray Lewis became the Super Bowl’s MVP.
FINAL SCORE: RAVENS 34, GIANTS 7
MAJOR RAVENS HEAD COACHES
Brian Billick:
Billick coached the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2007. He engineered the Ravens’ 34-7 win in Super Bowl XXXV, over the New York Giants. Billick was just the second coach in the Ravens history as a franchise. In nine seasons, he earned a record of 85-67. During his first year as the Ravens’ head coach, the team earned their first non-losing record. (8-8)
KEY RAVENS PLAYERS
The Ravens have no players in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, as their first season in the NFL was in 1996. However, two players have a significant chance of becoming future inductees into the Hall of Fame:
RAY LEWIS-Linebacker
Before Lewis motivated Ravens fans to sport Baltimore Ravens Car Accessories, he attended Miami (Florida) University. There, he played football with all star Warren Sapp and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. As of the 2008-2009 NFL season, Lewis has played 13 years in the NFL. During the span of his career, he has racked up over 1,500 solo tackles, and over 1,100 assisted tackles. NFL officials have chosen Lewis for nine Pro Bowls and as an All-Pro player seven times. In addition, Lewis won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, in both 2000 and 2003.
Lewis’ significantly contributed to the 2000 Ravens becoming one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. In fact, opposing offenses scored the fewest points against the Raven’s defense, during that year.
JONATHAN OGDEN-Offensive Tackle
Ogden attended the University of California at Los Angeles. There, he was just the eighth player at UCLA to have his jersey retired. He played with the Ravens for 12 years, from 1996-2007. In fact, in 1996 he was the first draft choice that the Baltimore Ravens ever made. During his years playing for the Ravens, Ogden started in an amazing 176/177 games. His accolades include 11 Pro Bowl selections, nine All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XXXV
This December holiday season, cheer Ravens past and future success, with Baltimore Ravens Christmas Decorations.
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