[News] Byrne Identity: Vinny Remembers First Ravens Game; Suggs Is The Big Brother

[BR News]

QB Vinny Testaverde remembers the first game in Ravens history, a 19-14 win over the visiting Raiders.

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[salamander]

I had never heard the story about the Colts players forming the gauntlet for our new Baltimore team, the Ravens. Outstanding idea to have reversible Colts/Ravens jackets and have the Colts players reverse them to Ravens side. What a super symbol to help in the transition to our new identity and embrace the long awaited new era of Baltimore football.

Edited September 18, 2015 by salamander

[4everraven]

Very well written article, Kevin. Thank you. The bond between the Colts and the Baltimore community was unsurpassed. Such cohesion between player and citizen will never be seen again anywhere. It was a very special era. The Colts reversing the jackets to Ravens let the Baltimore community know that everything would be fine with the new team in town. Again, a gesture unlikely to be replicated anywhere.

On a different note, Kevin's description of that 1st season Ravens offense got me pumped and excited just reading it. Such a complete 180 we Ravens fans are experiencing with this Trestman rendition of the offense.

[Moderator 3]

I had never heard the story about the Colts players forming the gauntlet for our new Baltimore team, the Ravens. Outstanding idea to have reversible Colts/Ravens jackets and have the Colts players reverse them to Ravens side. What a super symbol to help in the transition to our new identity and embrace the long awaited new era of Baltimore football.

It was awesome. I was there and most of the crowd had tears in their eyes. Our long years in the NFL desert were finally over.

[Space11jams]

This guy in these inspiring articles.

[salamander]

It was awesome. I was there and most of the crowd had tears in their eyes. Our long years in the NFL desert were finally over.

That wonderful gesture of the Colts players reversing their jackets to the Ravens side to welcome the new team and to form a gauntlet for players to run through brought tears to my eyes just reading about it. If I had been there at that first game, I probably would have been bawling myself. For many years, Baltimore was literally mourning the loss of our NFL football team, sometimes doubting whether the day would actually come to ever have an NFL team again. Ravens are here to stay.

Edited September 18, 2015 by salamander

[Raven552]

Reading about Vinny brought back a fond memory of my mom.. we were in church one Sunday and there was a guy wearing a Testaverde jersey a few rows up.  She leaned over and whispered to me, "do you think it's really him?"   No mom, I think he's a little busy today.

[Purpleghost23]

Nice story...sorry vinny i wish flacco break both your records and i hope that it will be this year

[RavensFootballFan]

I remembered that first game. Foods, snacks, Buds and an all around good time doing high fives with friends that football was back in Baltimore. Tears and cheers after we won the first game. I wished there was a video out there of the former Colts at first game. I would love to have that video as a keepsake to pass to next generation. If anyone finds it, I would greatly appreciate it if you can provide the link here.

[Bat-mite]

Great article as always, Mr. B. That brought back memories. In 20 years, I don't think I have missed more than two or three games (on TV or at the stadium), but if you had asked me how that first game turned out, I'm not sure I would have remembered. And the insider info on Johnny U. and Mr. Modell were much appreciated.

[FloridalovesRavens]

I know when the Colts left there would be a huge hole in people's hearts. Good people lost their jobs and great fans lost their motivation to even watch football (especially if Indy was playing). We had a long wait but it certainly was worth it. Thank you Ravens for everything.

[RobReally]

Great story about Vinny, whom I will always remember fondly and who had a really outstanding and long NFL career (just look up his career stats). I hope the Ravens make an effort to bring him back for a "Vinny Day." That would be outstanding and well deserved. Bring back Jackson and Alexander for their day, too, just not on the same day as Vinny. It would be a cool 20th anniversary thing to do!

[bmoraven]

I agree with Kevin, the Ravens can do some special things even without Sizzle. My biggest question is to see how this Defense performs without Suggs and any other big name Veteran Raven on the field to pick up the slack. When Sizzle tore his Achilles Before, we had Ed and Ray and Haloti out there. When Ray tore his Tricep, we had Sizzle, Reed and Haloti. I'm Hoping CJ and Doom can take over and Lead the D, and Webby has got to step up and be a vocal Veteran leader as well.

[RavenManiac#7]

Loved hearing about Johnny Unitas. He was the best there ever has been, and had more class than any other football player that ever stepped on a field. Yep, we had the best ever in football with John Unitas, and the best ever in baseball with Brooks Robinson. Cal Ripken came along later and was truly a great one, but Johnny & Brooks were the BEST! Neither one will ever be topped. I have a few personal stories about both of them, especially Brooks, that I will remember for the rest of my life. I truly have never met a man with more class than Brooks Robinson. He will always be a legend in my eyes and mind.

[Machineman]

Yet another great article by Mr Byrne! Thank you sir!

[OzzieBisciotti]

Ozzie messed us up this year by letting Torrey Smith go- we have no speed at wideout- ???

Unfortunately, we will not being going to the playoffs, and we will have a below avg offense again- as usual. We should've at least kept Jacoby, but Ozzie thought we had enough WR talent already- he's crazy on this one.

[Raven'evermore]

 Joe Flacco = Great quarterback

                                                         = Johnny Unitas

  Ray Lewis =  Great general

[Raven'evermore]

 My dad and I went to see one of the early games when Vinny and Jackson were playing.  I remember we left early because it looked like a blowout and wanted to beat the crowd.  Yeah, they came back and won of course.  On the way out my dad who was a bit up in age stumbled into some guys beer and knocked it over.  He and his young buddies wanted to take on my dad who was pushing seventy at the time.  Thought I was going to have my hands full but nothing came out of it.  Good thing, I really don't like getting hurt.  Do wish they would cut the alcohol from the stadium though.  People can be real idiots.