So, are you excited about our Ravens being in the Super Bowl?
Oh. My. God…
I am so excited! I want to see us win—not just because I love the team, but because I think it will be the perfect ending to Ray Lewis’ illustrious career.
But I wasn’t always this way. No, my fellow Baltimoreans. It’s sad, yet true. And I feel like I have a confession to make.
I didn’t always like football.
Now, I’m whacko for Flacco! Rice is nice! I’m a sucker for Tucker!
And, Ray Lewis, well, I can’t rhyme that, but I love him too.
Have you ever wondered what you could do to be the best Raven Maniac ever? Come close, my students, and let me give you the skinny.
You Gotta Get the Gear–If you don’t have a Ravens shirt, sweatshirt, or jersey, go out there and get one right away. I will be spending Super Bowl Sunday decked out in my Ray Lewis Jersey, black pants, Ravens socks, a purple boa, purple glitter sneakers, and Ravens jewelry. I’ll be shaking purple pom poms and singing “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes at the top of my lungs. (You know this song—yes, you do. It’s Oh, uh uh uh uh, Ohhhh Ohhhhh. You get the idea. And if not, go Google it. This publication doesn’t have sound.)
Yeah, I know that the boys in Purple can’t see you through the TV screen, but you need to show your undying devotion someway!
Decorate like it’s Purple Christmas—Because it kind of is. And get ready because Santa and his team of elves (okay, I was going to make a comparison to John Harbaugh and the team, but it seems ridiculous to refer to guys like Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata as little elves)…um, because our guys in Purple are going to bring us the best present ever!!!
You can find just about anything Ravens-related to decorate your place, and you can get it practically anywhere too. I walked into a grocery store the other day, and guess what was in the point-of-purchase display right as you entered the store? Everything from Ravens shirts to footballs, to signs, glasses, plates, place mats, and cups. The list goes on and on…
A local diner got a purple Christmas tree (or bought a white one and spray painted it), then covered it with purple decorations—everything from purple Christmas balls to purple garland.
Purple Dips, Drinks, and Desserts—This doesn’t mean that you can only eat eggplant and grapes. I’ve got two words for you: food coloring. Get thyself to the store and buy some food coloring. A mixture of red and blue will make everything from your drinks to your dips and even a cheesecake turn a nice shade of Ravens purple.
Be sure to take photos of everyone at your party after they’ve eaten with their tongues out—showing purple tongues and purple pride!
B’lieve, Hon!—This final tip may be tough for some people because the Ravens are still considered the underdogs. But remember: they said we wouldn’t beat Denver. We proved them wrong. They said there was no way we would ever beat the Patriots. We proved them wrong again. We’ve been the underdog this entire time, and we keep coming up on top. So Believe!!! Or as we say in Ball-mer, B’lieve, Hon! Keep your energy positive and feel free to scream your brains out for the team. I know I will be!
I’ll also have some hot tea and honey before I go to bed that night. The next day, I’ll definitely need my voice to rejoice all over again.
GO RAVENS!!!!
Michele Wojciechowski, who cannot wait to cheer on Super Bowl Sunday, writes “Wojo’s World® from Baltimore.