Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens, Super Bowl XXXV Champions, played their first official season 1996. The Ravens are, of course, an NFL team competing in the AFC North Division. Their 2000 season was their best year, not only because they won the in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants, but because their defense broke an important NFL record by holding against opposing teams a total of 165 points.

Here are some interesting facts about the Baltimore Ravens:

• During their first official season as the Ravens, they played in the Old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
• They finished that first season — 1996, with a 4-12 record.
• Peter Boulware was the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
• They’ve won 1 Conference Championship with the AFC in 2000, as well as the Super Bowl.
• In 2003 and 2006, they won AFC North Division Championships.
• They’ve had three more Playoff appearances in addition to 2000; 2001, 2003, and 2006.
• The Ravens’ team colors are black, purple, metallic gold, and white.
• Their mascot is “Poe”.

While the Baltimore Ravens currently have no members in the Pro Football Hall of Famers, they do have team “Ring of Honors” which are displayed permanently around the M&T Bank Stadium Field. Ravens players and former owners who have a Ravens Ring of Honor include: Earnest Byner, inducted in 2001; Peter Boulware, inductedin 2006; Jonathan Ogden, inducted in 2008; Michael McCrary, inducted in 2004; Art Modell, inducted in 2003; Johnny Unitas, inducted in 2002 after his death.

Hall of Fame players that once played for the Baltimore Colts include Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, Raymond Berry, Ted Hendricks, John Mackey, and Gino Marchett.

The Baltimore Ravens are owned by Steve Bisciotti, who first bought 49% of the Ravens in 2000, and then 51% in 2004. He is currently the youngest team owner in the NFL. The GM for the Ravens is Ozzie Newsome, a former player of the Cleveland Browns and Hall of Fame indcutee. Head Coach for the Ravens is John Harbaugh, former line backing coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Ravens head coach, Brian Billick, was fired in December of 2007 after the team suffered the year with a 5-11 record.
Within just 13 years of being the Baltimore Ravens, they’ve enjoyed some good success. They’ve already won the Super Bowl once, and are doing decently so far in 2008. Time will tell if they once again enjoy the same successes that their 2000 season brought them.