Ravens enjoy a victory celebration like no other
By Terry Swayne
Words can’t describe how awesome Tuesday’s victory celebration was. It was the single greatest celebration that I have ever heard of in the history of American sports. An estimated 200,000 people showed up. That’s right….200,000! No matter where you turned, there were fans, and lots of them. Whether you were among the spectators at City Hall, or along the parade route, or at M&T Bank Stadium, the fans turned out in droves to say “Thank You” to our World Champion Baltimore Ravens players and staff.
The fans were absolutely rabid. I was one of the estimated 15,000 fans on the field at M&T Bank Stadium and there was not an empty seat in the entire 71,000 seat stadium. Estimates are that there was 85,000 fans in the stands, as people were standing in the isles and anywhere else they could find a spot to view the event. Plus another 100,000 or so that showed up at City Hall or lined the streets of Baltimore for the parade.
I went to the rally after the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001 and it was no where near the mob that showed up on Tuesday. Maybe 40,000 people at best showed up for the parade which ended at City Hall back in 2001. My how the Ravens have truly become Baltimore’s team. Even though it’s been 30 years since the Orioles won the World Series, I doubt they would get half the turnout if they ever won a World Series.
The event was great, the team was in high spirits and the fans got one last chance to thank Ray Lewis. Ray did one last dance and said one last goodbye. It’s a shame that we’ll never see him ever play football again, but to leave as a Super Bowl Champion is something that any player wishes for.
It’s hard to believe that the season is over. Now the Ravens front office starts the task of figuring out who stays and who goes from this year’s team. Unfortunately, the team can’t keep everyone. Next season has officially begun…