Some people like to call their college a home away from home. As I leave for mine tomorrow, I know that I chose a wonderful place to be just that. Columbia, Missouri is a beautiful college town that boasts so much pride and spirit. The idea of being a Tiger is something I am extremely proud of. But for me, I've always had a home away from home.
Since I was four years old, I have been attending Baltimore Raven home games. When they came to Baltimore in 1996, my family snatched up four tickets and we all started attending the games. From then on, I became immersed in football. I loved everything about it; the physicality, the passion, the atmosphere of a stadium. This is how my obsession with sports began, and I now thought of M&T Bank Stadium (formerly PSINet Stadium) as another home.
It has housed everything I've ever loved in one place. I got to spend 8 Sundays a year watching professional football with the people that I love the most. My family is absolutely sports crazed, and going to Ravens games has always been the highlights of our year. On momentous wins, we rode back home jubilant. For the heart wrenching losses, we rode back silent (okay not silent, but I can't type the words on here). That's how much we've always cared.
With them, I have been able to watch some of the NFL greats play on that field. I've seen Peyton Manning orchestrate amazing drives live. I've watched Troy Polamalu leap over blockers and drill people. And I've seen countless others, like Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Ben Roethilsberger, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, etc. But those aren't the guys I've been attached to.
From the day I first saw Ray Lewis play, I knew he would always be my favorite player. I could always sense the passion he brought to the field, the intensity he thinks is normal for any man. Before games would start, I would just stare at him pacing the 50 yard line (divides the teams when they're stretching), barking at the opposing team. It was like observing a tenacious lion stalking his future prey. Then the game would start, and I would go insane as he laid out another running back with no mercy. Nobody was coming over the middle; not while Ray was there.
I've watched his whole career arc. In his prime, there was not a more dominant player at the time. He ran sideline to sideline like nobody I've ever seen. When the lights were at its brightest, Ray always made the play that was needed. You knew once a team entered the stadium, they weren't entering the Ravens' house: this was Ray's place. And you weren't coming out of it the same way you went in. Ask Eddie George, Dustin Keller, Clinton Portis, Chad Ochocinco. They'll tell you the same.
What I'll miss the most about Ray is that pregame introduction. After the whole defense was introduced, you knew who was coming out last. "Hot In Herre" would start blaring over the stadium speakers, and out came Number 52. He'd pick up a clod of grass like a gladiator did with sand before a battle, throw it, and go into that famous dance. The crowd would be consumed with chaos, and you knew it was gametime. To this day, nothing pumps me up more.
I don't care how many players come through this league. Nobody will be what Ray Lewis has been to me. He's the best defensive player of the past ten years, and one of the greatest to ever play. There is no player that was more ready to come to play, no one who loved it as much. It's been an honor to see him play in person every year. I'll never forget it, and I'll never wear another jersey.
People always ask me why I love sports so much, especially football. I can only respond with these games. They have meant the world to me and nothing will replace them. Nothing can replace the memories of seeing guys like Jonathan Ogden and Ed Reed make the plays that will put them in the Hall of Fame. Nothing could possibly be better than seeing one of the greatest defenses of all time firsthand in 2000 (even if they did go 5 straight games without scoring a TD, still won the Super Bowl). No sound will replace the deafening unison of over 70,000 people screaming on third down to pump up our D.
But most of all, nothing will be like the time I got with my family. The tailgates, the drives, the excitement; I got to share it all with them. I've been blessed with the best family I could have ever asked for; people who are just like me and love these crazy games as much as I do. Baltimore was never our official home (did live in Bel Air County though), but it's where part of our heart lies. I may be thousands of miles away, but you can bet your ass I'll be watching every down with Number 52 on my back. I bleed purple and black, and nothing will ever change that. Sports are my life; and the Baltimore Ravens are who I have to thank.
ANY DAWGS IN THE HOUSE?
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