A Raven Without A Flock

[Aaron Vaught]

[font="Franklin Gothic Medium"]As with every season, it didn't take long for the 'sea of blue' to flood the streets of Indianapolis and surrounding counties as there wasn't a single resident without some sort of Colts apparel (minus yours truly and his family). Shortly after the Ravens trounced the Browns, we headed up to Marion County to do a little window-shopping but like every Sunday during the football season -- our presence was unwelcome.

Our first stop was in Greenwood on E. Main St. where we were stared down like lepers, several folks went as far as closing their eyes and sticking their noses in the air. A group of young men standing in the parking lot even 'boo-ed' at us with the 'thumbs down' in the air. My retort? Throwing the door open to the pizza shop, turning around and yelling -- "GO COLTS!" For whatever reason, it has always seemed to catch them off guard.

As we ventured further north into the big city, I found myself trying to avoid gridlock at all costs and eventually wound up heading the wrong way down a one-way alley. Just my luck, before I could reach the other end I saw lights in my rear view mirror. So, I waved to the officer and proceeded to the nearest parking lot. My first thought was, I'm surely going to get popped with a $200 ticket and wearing a Ravens jersey in Colts territory isn't going to give me any kind of an out. With the engine off and keys on the dashboard, I awaited the impending doom which awaited me.

It has always been my experience, so long as your honest with law enforcement they tend to cut you a break. So, I told him how I was looking to just avoid all the tailgater traffic and must have missed a sign. I handed him my license, registration and proof of insurance and he returned to his vehicle. Moments later, he emerged and said, "You seem like an honest guy, I think $200 is a little excessive considering you were pretty cautious, not to mention you can't really read the sign back there. So, just a verbal to be more tentative in the future." And like that, I was free to go but not before shaking his hand and thanking him.

With that, we decided to hit up a local fast food restaurant for a drink before making tracks back to Rushville.

Sometimes, I feel it'd be worth giving up family, friends and my nearly ten years at my current job just to move to B'more and be closer to the action. Then I remember how few Ravens fans actually attend Colts, Browns and Bengals home games. So, Indiana is where I will remain for now, taking in all the snide remarks and hand gestures that come with being an outsider and I will take even more pleasure when I am sitting inside Lucas Oil Stadium, ruining that perfect 'sea of blue' behind the Ravens sideline.

Questions? Comments? Or have a similar story, I'd love to hear it!!
[/font]

[Shawn`]

That's gotta be tough being in the heart of the old franchise.

I live in Chicago and I don't usually get that much heat from Bears fans because we usually do much better than them. All I can say is keep repping that purple, it'll get so much better after we go further into the playoffs than the Colts, trust me.

[Aaron Vaught]

[quote name='Shawn`' date='27 September 2009 - 09:08 PM' timestamp='1254103699' post='243177']
[b]That's gotta be tough being in the heart of the old franchise.[/b]

I live in Chicago and I don't usually get that much heat from Bears fans because we usually do much better than them. All I can say is keep repping that purple, it'll get so much better after we go further into the playoffs than the Colts, trust me.
[/quote]

Yeah, it is. And the "brothers from separate mothers" line doesn't give you any leniency. I honestly couldn't tell you how many of the current Colts fans even know they were originally from B'more. Then again, so long as Peyton and the "A-Team" (as they call them here) are winning, they love 'em but the moment they lose -- well, you know the drill. Fans like that sicken me. Even after the Ravens lost at Indy, I still walked out there with my head up and proud of my boys in purple & black (but they were wearing white that night) spite all the laughing and mockery in the halls leading towards the exit.

Twenty-seven years and I've yet to see a "true blue" fan.

[wolfzie06]

I will rep my Ravens gear anywhere and everywhere. When I go on vacation, I make sure to wear some sort of Ravens gear at least a few times while I'm away. I've been to Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Nashville and have worn my Ravens gear everywhere. I would like to go to another away game this year. Keep representing the Ravens, and remind those Colts fan how they have a league-wide reputation of being fair-weather fans who leave early and don't know football that well.

[RedFire]

i live in PG county now... but i rock my ravens jersey amongst the dellusional skins fans. skin fans create the rivalry....i never even mention nor care about the team. THE ONLY RIVAL IS THE STEELERS.

skins fans always talking about who they got and we don't have a squad...it's like skin live in a plastic bubble. IT'S A REASON THE MARYLAND FLAG IS IN THE RAVENS LOGO....

once u leave the b-more suburbs....the fanbase turns burgundy and gold. and cowboys fans.
it's weird how the ravens fanbase gets sliced into in the state of maryland.

[Aaron Vaught]

[quote name='wolfzie06' date='27 September 2009 - 09:22 PM' timestamp='1254104550' post='243195']
I will rep my Ravens gear anywhere and everywhere. When I go on vacation, I make sure to wear some sort of Ravens gear at least a few times while I'm away. I've been to Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, and Nashville and have worn my Ravens gear everywhere. I would like to go to another away game this year. Keep representing the Ravens, and remind those Colts fan how they have a league-wide reputation of being fair-weather fans who leave early and don't know football that well.
[/quote]

The only thing worse than living in the Colts backyard, the company I work for is owned and operated out of Cincinnati. So, outside of work it's just the Colts fans, at work it's the Bengals as well. And then there's Zach who is a Pittsburgh fan and so long as they're not playing the Ravens, he's a B'more fan.

He and I make the same wager every time the Steelers & Ravens meet: loser buys lunch. Last year really sucked for me. Cost me $15 a pop. I'm looking for some revenge this year!

[Aaron Vaught]

[quote name='RedFire' date='27 September 2009 - 09:32 PM' timestamp='1254105157' post='243207']
i live in PG county now... but i rock my ravens jersey amongst the dellusional skins fans. skin fans create the rivalry....i never even mention nor care about the team. THE ONLY RIVAL IS THE STEELERS.

skins fans always talking about who they got and we don't have a squad...it's like skin live in a plastic bubble. IT'S A REASON THE MARYLAND FLAG IS IN THE RAVENS LOGO....

once u leave the b-more suburbs....the fanbase turns burgundy and gold. and cowboys fans.
it's weird how the ravens fanbase gets sliced into in the state of maryland.
[/quote]

Steelers fans are everywhere, especially when the mills started to shutdown and they were forced to move to find work. I work with such a guy, he and I are best buds at work. (see comment above).

As for Skins fans, haven't ran into many of them living in Indy. Has to suck though, Maryland brutalizing the Ravens is like disowning your child, or so it would seem to me.

[CNC]

There was nothing like living in Miami and losing to the Dolphins in their 1-15 season. I got ridiculed so bad. I couldn't even get excited about football....Then the playoff game happened.... beatuiful. Ed reed returning that 64 Yard TD was my favorite football memory...

[ray-ray is a beast-beast]

It's kind of disgusting to me that Colts fans -- of all people -- could hate the Ravens. They took Baltimore's team, stealing the name and distinguished legacy of the Colts franchise, and now that we have a team, they've been very successful against us and don't even play in our division. They have no reason or right to hate the Ravens.

I cannot wait to see the Ravens tear the Colts up this year.

It has been a long time coming.

[RedFire]

[quote name='Aaron Vaught' date='27 September 2009 - 10:37 PM' timestamp='1254105475' post='243213']
Steelers fans are everywhere, especially when the mills started to shutdown and they were forced to move to find work. I work with such a guy, he and I are best buds at work. (see comment above).

As for Skins fans, haven't ran into many of them living in Indy. Has to suck though, Maryland brutalizing the Ravens is like disowning your child, or so it would seem to me.
[/quote]


since the suburbs of DC consist of maryland it gets weird. they represent DC yet they still have maryland tags on the car and abide by the same govenor as b-more...haha.

Having two teams within 30miles representing two different things/cities shrinks a fanbase. Jets and Giants both represent New York so it's cool. 30miles out is still within most NFL teams fanbase....

[Shadowalker]

Ravens fan in Connecticut here!

Just Stay True and
Stay Purple!

[TheInvisibleEnigma]

Born and raised in Maryland, but I go to school at Ohio State - right in the heart of enemy territory. I'm literally disgusted at how many Steelers fans there are out here, I didn't know Bengals fans existed outside of Cincinnati (neither did any of my friends from Northeast Ohio), and Browns fans are just depressing to be around.

I remember last year during the winter, it was freezing outside and I was leaving a long boring lecture just trying to get back to my apartment. I had my Ravens skully on like I always do when it's cold. This dude breezes past me on a skateboard and goes "Hey, GO RAVENS!" and I looked up and he's got on a Ravens sweatshirt.

It's the little things that keep me sane in this gloomy Ohio world.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

My story isn't really that interesting, heck I live in New Zealand and football gets zero coverage until the Superbowl, which gets like a 30 second summary.

My best mates all love football, amongst them is an Eagles fan, Raiders fan, Patriots fan (bandwagon!), Colts fan (bandwagon!), Packers fan, Jags fan... so it makes things fun. Most people know nothing about the game, I would consider myself knowledgable in an amateur sense but would be taken to school by long-time followers of the game here.

I really love the game now though, so I signed up for NFL Game Pass before the season. I scheduled my Uni timetable so I could have the day off (its Monday in NZ) and watch all the action, starting at 6am this morning.

I often wish I lived in an NFL city, I would be a huge tailgater and would get to the games whenever I could. I certainly look forward to tailgating with Ravens fans at M&T someday in the next few years!

My kiwi friend Kia Kaha will understand my pain of being half the world away from NFL!

[oriolesandravens4life]

[quote name='Aaron Vaught' date='27 September 2009 - 07:05 PM' timestamp='1254103513' post='243170']
[font="Franklin Gothic Medium"]As with every season, it didn't take long for the 'sea of blue' to flood the streets of Indianapolis and surrounding counties as there wasn't a single resident without some sort of Colts apparel (minus yours truly and his family). Shortly after the Ravens trounced the Browns, we headed up to Marion County to do a little window-shopping but like every Sunday during the football season -- our presence was unwelcome.

Our first stop was in Greenwood on E. Main St. where we were stared down like lepers, several folks went as far as closing their eyes and sticking their noses in the air. A group of young men standing in the parking lot even 'boo-ed' at us with the 'thumbs down' in the air. My retort? Throwing the door open to the pizza shop, turning around and yelling -- "GO COLTS!" For whatever reason, it has always seemed to catch them off guard.

As we ventured further north into the big city, I found myself trying to avoid gridlock at all costs and eventually wound up heading the wrong way down a one-way alley. Just my luck, before I could reach the other end I saw lights in my rear view mirror. So, I waved to the officer and proceeded to the nearest parking lot. My first thought was, I'm surely going to get popped with a $200 ticket and wearing a Ravens jersey in Colts territory isn't going to give me any kind of an out. With the engine off and keys on the dashboard, I awaited the impending doom which awaited me.

It has always been my experience, so long as your honest with law enforcement they tend to cut you a break. So, I told him how I was looking to just avoid all the tailgater traffic and must have missed a sign. I handed him my license, registration and proof of insurance and he returned to his vehicle. Moments later, he emerged and said, "You seem like an honest guy, I think $200 is a little excessive considering you were pretty cautious, not to mention you can't really read the sign back there. So, just a verbal to be more tentative in the future." And like that, I was free to go but not before shaking his hand and thanking him.

With that, we decided to hit up a local fast food restaurant for a drink before making tracks back to Rushville.

Sometimes, I feel it'd be worth giving up family, friends and my nearly ten years at my current job just to move to B'more and be closer to the action. Then I remember how few Ravens fans actually attend Colts, Browns and Bengals home games. So, Indiana is where I will remain for now, taking in all the snide remarks and hand gestures that come with being an outsider and I will take even more pleasure when I am sitting inside Lucas Oil Stadium, ruining that perfect 'sea of blue' behind the Ravens sideline.

Questions? Comments? Or have a similar story, I'd love to hear it!!
[/font]
[/quote]
hey I know how you feel I am a Raven fan living in Los Angeles with the raider nation and charger fans. Let me tell you last week I was in a sports bar full of charger and raider fans watching our boys in purple take it to the chargers! When ray ray made the game winning tackle against Lightning Bug I went wild as everyone (except the raider fans who lost the week before to the chargers) in the bar was silent! Best ever. There was one other Raven fan there so we stuck together but I represent my raven stuff here in LA and last year got a Flacco jersey for Christmas that I wear on game day! Funny those raider fans that were high fiving me last week when we beat the chargers arent going to like me very much when we crush the raider nation in the last week of the season....GO RAVENS!!!!

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Lol, awesome. No 49ers fans floating around?

[TXRaven]

I feel you on this. I am a diehard Ravens fan living in the heart of Cowboy country.

[Gtown Purple]

I'm from Montgomery County and have been a ravens fan since they arrived in 97. Anything to get away from the redskins. I believe in rooting for your home town team. The guys who like the steelers and cowboys and have never set foot in the respective state make me sick.

[Purple Nurple]

Florida is great. We're all transplants down here so there are fans of every team imaginable. The only issue anybody has is with the explosion of Steelers fans. They are the cockroaches of the fan world. (and boy was I making noise when they lost yesterday!)

As an aside, my brother in law in South Africa is a HUGE eagles fan and the only person i've ever met in that country that knows anything about NFL. He working on converting his friends, Madden helps. lol.

[JonM229]

I've posted here before about living in Orlando, but the closest place to watch the games was in a Browns bar. I haven't had too many issues now living in Southern Wisconsin (which actually has more Bears fans than Packers fans.) Although yesterday, I was at a toll booth coming into Chicago, the booth operator asked me why I was wearing a Ravens jersey in Bears country. He then asked if we won and seemed impressed at the final score of the game. Other than that, it's just some light-hearted trash talking with some of my co-workers (all Bears fans.) When we beat the Bears December 20, I'm totally wearing my jersey to work that day...with my Ravens polo underneath if they make me take the jersey off.

[oriolesandravens4life]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='28 September 2009 - 02:21 AM' timestamp='1254129708' post='243353']
Lol, awesome. No 49ers fans floating around?
[/quote]
my roommate is a 49ers fan I had to talk him off a ledge yesterday after the lucky pass Brett Favre made yesterday. I hope ray lewis and t sizzle hit his old ****** in the mouth I cant stand the media praise he gets from all the teams he holds hostage with his antics.

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='ray-ray is a beast-beast' date='27 September 2009 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1254106612' post='243218']
It's kind of disgusting to me that Colts fans -- of all people -- could hate the Ravens. They took Baltimore's team, stealing the name and distinguished legacy of the Colts franchise, and now that we have a team, they've been very successful against us and don't even play in our division. They have no reason or right to hate the Ravens.

I cannot wait to see the Ravens tear the Colts up this year.

It has been a long time coming.
[/quote]
I am convinced that Indy fans hate the Ravens for several reasons
Our very existence in the NFL makes things complicated for them. They want to be thought of as a class organization. But since they kept the colts name and with the Ravens around they are always reminded of their tangled past.

If B-more was not in the NFL no one would point out the stolen history and records that they claim. No one would have seen Johnny Unitas on the [b]Ravens[/b] sidelines when they played indy
The 50th anniversary celebration of the "greatest game ever (colts v Giants)" was held in Baltimore last year.

also if it weren't for Baltimore who else would be booing and flipping off pretty boy Manning & the dolts ? b/c all are supposed to bow in their greatness ? right ??

[slayback0317]

Im from Maryland but im in the army and got stationed in Hawaii where there is no home team but there are alot of Raiders,Charger,Steeler fans aswell because of the diversity of the army i had to deal with alot of diffrent fan's but i would have to say the cowboy fans made me sick and we would argue and talk *&^%& all day long when we beat the Cowgirls last year i was like a proud father and i made sure everyone would not forget it the rest of the year what had taken place:). Currently im stationed in virgina and its skins country YUK but i rep the Ravens here and people always have something to say when they see my jersey but i usally just laugh because they are redskins fans lol. Last but not least before I joined the army I lived in Ocean City Maryland and the Steelers fans need to stay in Pa cause they make me sick, it seems everyone want to come to Maryland from PA so its like a rivalry at home but the ravens fans are great to put up with what we do.

[D-Rey]

Ravens fan here in Davneport, Iowa. We don't have a team in our state so we have alot of different fans, alot of bear fans though.

[Denie Rock]

Born and raised in B-More. I have been living in Okc for 25 years. True puple people eater.........Love the Ravins

[mdrsharon]

living in LA but I still love both birds Ravens and O's no matter what place they are in! Of course it's always better to have a winning team,but I will back them both forever... and this year the Ravens will go all the way!!!

[MNRavensfanatic]

I am an original Ravens fan, since they began and this started while living in NY. There was nothing better than being in a NY Giants sports bar, in 2001, watching the purple trounce the blue boys into submission. Since then I have moved to the coldest place I've ever been, land of a different purple, Minnesota. I walk proud around the office on purple pride day with a shiny purple #20 jersey. Catch a little grief here and there, but not much really. I am quite sure that come next Friday, comments will abound. I have secured seats to watch the baddest combo of offense and defense defeat the vikings at the metrodome.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='wolfzie06' date='27 September 2009 - 10:22 PM' timestamp='1254104550' post='243195']
I will rep my Ravens gear anywhere and everywhere.
[/quote]

I've proudly worn my purple in Pittsburgh AND Cleveland already!

[midwestravensfan]

I live in Kansas City, home to the Chiefs. While they are usually cordial, there are very few Ravens fans I am aware of out here. Believe it or not, there seems to be plenty of Pittsburgh fans though. They are not cordial at all. I still wear my Ravens colors and go to the bars and watch the games anyway though!! Go Ravens!

[Lightlock]

Ravens fan from south Tx here, where you can't turn your head without spotting a Cowboys fanatic. Sometimes I'll go to a bar on Sundays for the games and I am always the only one in there with a Ravens shirt on, but someone's got to represent the purple and black !

[gourmandizer]

I just happened upon this thread looking for Ravens fans in Cleveland. You read that right, I'm a Ravens fan. In Cleveland. I've found a few other fans up here, but I can count them on one hand.

We're constantly heckled and ridiculed, but I remind them at least we're not fans of the Steelers. At least we have some class to us (unlike that idiot who wore a Steelers jersey to the Ravens/Browns game at M&T last year).

Not to mention, there are a lot of Clevelanders on the team, both on the Roster and in Coaching and Front Office...