Baltimore Ravens Football

The Ravens, Baltimore's NFL football team, are in the North Division of the AFC. Bringing pro football back to Baltimore in 1996, after a 13-year void, the exciting style of the Baltimore Ravens has invigorated the city and captivated football fans in Baltimore and the surrounding region.

Sporting purple, black, gold and white, the Ravens' name was selected from the results of a Baltimore Sun poll. Chosen to honor the famous poet, it's believed that Edgar Allan Poe wrote his poem, "The Raven," while living in Baltimore in the 1830's. The Baltimore Ravens Mascot is Edgar, Allan and Poe!

The Baltimore Raven's current roster includes Steve McNair, quarterback; Matt Stover, legendary kicker; Todd Heap, tight end; Ed Reed, safety; and Mark Clayton, wide receiver among others.

Baltimore Ravens Tickets

Come see the Baltimore Ravens play in the new state-of-the-art M&T Bank Stadium located at the south point of Camden Yards. Easily accessible from Route 95, it has a splendid view of the Baltimore skyline, sports the latest in video big screens in each end zone and is within walking distance of Baltimore's famous Inner Harbor.

Group seating, stadium tours and ticket information can be obtained from the Baltimore Ravens' ticket office at 410-261-RAVE. Don't miss out on an opportunity to get in on the purple and black tradition during your next visit to Baltimore.

From the Baltimore Browns to the Baltimore Ravens!

In 1996, when Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore, the city embraced NFL football once again and the Baltimore Ravens were born. Although the Browns' name remained in Cleveland, the players moved to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Ravens as an unusual expansion team. The 1996 Ravens touted players such as Earnest Byner and Vinny Testaverde and Coach Marchibroda from the Baltimore Colts days. After struggling through two seasons, the Baltimore Ravens hired a new head coach, Brian Billick form the Minnesota Vikings offensive coaching staff.

In 2001 the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34-7 to win Super Bowl XXXV, with Baltimore's Ray Lewis named the Super Bowl MVP.

The History of Football in Baltimore

Although the Baltimore Ravens are a young football team, Baltimore has long had a love-affair with the game. From local high school football to the University of Maryland Terps college football and on into professional football, Baltimore fans have historically supported and embraced the game.

The Baltimore Colts

Baltimore's first pro football team was the Baltimore Colts. The name was chosen as a result of a fan contest. Honoring the tradition of horse racing and breeding in Baltimore's horse country, the name became so connected to the city that fans were upset when the Irsay family would not relinquish the name to Baltimore. The Baltimore Colts moved to become the Indianapolis Colts.

The blue and white Baltimore Colts played at Memorial Stadium from 1953 to 1983, with famous coaches like Don Shula from 1963 to 1969, two time winner of the Coach of the Year award, and Ted Marchibroda from 1975 to 1979, Coach of the Year Award in 1975. Arguably one of the most famous quarterbacks in the history of football, Johnny Unitas, played for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1972. Other hall-of-famers from the Baltimore Colts include Raymond Berry, Artie Donovan, Ted Hendricks, John Mackey, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Jim Parker and Joe Perry. Weeb Ewbank and Don Shula are also inductees into the National Football Hall of Fame.

The Baltimore Colts made two super bowl appearances. They lost Super Bowl III in 1968 to the New York Jets but won Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys in 1970. The Colts played their last game in Baltimore on December 18, 1983. If you're visiting Baltimore, be sure to visit the Colts Football - Baltimore History exhibit at the Sports Legends at Camden Yards museum located right at the gateway to the Oriole Park at 301 W. Camden Street.

The Horse with No Name

Before landing an NFL team, Baltimore entered the Canadian Football League. Sticking with the name the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore was eventually sued by the NFL over the name and were known, for a short time, as the Baltimore CFL's before becoming the Baltimore Stallions. The Stallions were short lived in Baltimore, however, with the Cleveland Browns NFL expansion team moving to Baltimore and the Stallions moving to Canada to become the Montreal Alouettes.

Pro Football - America's Most Popular Spectator Sport

Pro football was once again chosen as America's favorite sport in a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive. What is it about football that keeps it at the top of the list? Maybe it's the offensive and defensive strategies vying against one another in the most aggressive struggle between opposing teams. Maybe it's the heroes of the sport, the sheer power, speed and size of the often emotional players that attract fans. Or maybe it's a matter of fond memories and a sheer love of the game that stirs the emotions of every fan at the start of every football season.

Need More Baltimore Ravens Excitement?

For Baltimore Ravens tickets online, game day information, a new playbook media center, news and much more, visit the Official NFL Ravens website.

You can even watch, share, send and vote on fans' videos and even upload your own video at VisitMyBaltimore.com's Baltimore Ravens Videos page.

Get in on it!

Come for a visit, catch a Baltimore Ravens football game and then enjoy the exciting nightlife and cultural diversity that Charm City has to offer!