Why The Baltimore Ravens Fight Song Is So Important

“For Baltimore And Maryland We Will Go On To Victory!” The Baltimore Ravens Fight Song And Why It Should Be Cherished

When Art Modell relocated his franchise to Baltimore, he decided to make it a new beginning. He left the Browns name and history to the city of Cleveland. The Baltimore Ravens for all intents and purposes were a new franchise. They did not claim the history of the Browns to be their own. Ravens history began in 1996.

When Robert Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis in 1984, he took everything with him. Baltimore was devastated. The one thing that did not sneak away in the middle of the night with the Mayflower trucks, was the Baltimore Colts Marching Band.

The story of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band was told in a phenomenal documentary, as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series. Every Baltimore sports fan should make a point of watching that. The story it told, was one of a band that did something special. The band promised to march until the NFL came back to the Baltimore.

The Ravens have now adopted the Baltimore Colts fight song. They changed the words to fit the Ravens, but it is the perfect homage to Baltimore football history. The Ravens understand that they don’t own the Colts history, but it certainly belongs to the hearts of their fans.

For many fans this is the perfect connection between the past and the present. The Colts meant a lot to Baltimore. The team meant a lot to Maryland. Hearing that joyful tune is a great feeling. Not only does it mean that the Ravens just scored a touchdown, but it means a great history is being honored.

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If you ever go to Canton, Ohio to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame there is a chart that tracks championships. You may get an unsettling feeling when you see Super Bowl V, listed as an achievement of the Indianapolis Colts. The idea that Jim Irsay holds ownership of those great Baltimore accomplishments and records is a frustrating truth.

Johnny Unitas was a Baltimore legend. His toughness made Cool Hand Luke look like a wimp. There was no excuses with Unitas. He always stood in there, took a brutal hit and made an unbelievable throw.

Raymond Berry was a Baltimore legend. He showed an unrivaled attention to detail. He was as consistently dependable as any player ever to play the game. Art Donovan, Tom Matte, John Mackey, I could go on for a while, but these are all Baltimore legends.

I challenge you to go down the streets of Indianapolis and ask Colts fans who Gino Marchetti is. Assuming they don’t know ask them about Mike Curtis and Lenny Moore. I doubt you would find one person who would know you were talking about former Colts players.

Walk down the streets of Baltimore and do the same thing, and I promise you people will smile. You may get some younger people stumped, but many will smile remembering the legends of old school Baltimore football.

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That’s why the fight song is so important. That’s why it is so important that the Ravens are the only NFL team with a marching band. Because great history belongs to the people in the place of its impact. Because the legendary players are held in a special place in our hearts. Because the Ravens fight song gives their fans a connection to the a team the city lost but will always love.

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