TGIFS: Thank Goodness it’s Football Season
The NFL season starts with a matchup between the Super Bowl champions Baltimore Ravens at the Denver Broncos. Last season, these teams faced off and a miracle happened at Mile High.
The National Football League began preseason on Sunday, August 4, 2013 with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins going head to head in the annual Hall of Fame game.
Many NFL teams have gone through dramatic changes. The Baltimore Ravens have been hit especially hard after the retirement of Ray Lewis and a new 120.6 million dollar contract with quarterback Joe Flacco.
“It is ridiculous what he [Flacco] is being paid. He is an overrated quarterback, but he is still an excellent quarterback compared to Tom Brady, the Manning brothers, etc.,” said Patric Hoskins, a senior at North Harford High School.
Fans will now be out and about in NFL jerseys and other team apparel. Many extreme fans will go as far as driving to their local stadiums in tricked out fan-mobiles. Baltimore has seen everything from converted RVs to redesigned bread trucks. Captain Defense is a regular face at M&T Bank Stadium, dressed in a Ravens captain’s hat, a “Dee-fense” jersey, and purple camouflage pants. Fans have even opened up their homes to the press to show their “Ravens’ Nests.”
For NHHS students, football season means Purple Fridays and late Sunday night games, as well as Friday night games for the Hawks.
“Football season means a lot to me. It’s the time of year when my family comes together and cheers on our Super Bowl champions the Baltimore Ravens,” said Emilia Ferrara, a senior at NHHS.
Some, like Hoskins, will make the trip down to Baltimore city for games.
“The best part about going to a football game is the noise of the fans cheering on the players. Paying for a Ravens game is worth every penny and if you haven’t gone yet, you don’t know what you’re missing,” said Hoskins.
During the offseason, stadiums have been upgraded, including Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium; everything from the installment of video boards, to concession stands, to decorative purple accents.
The official season will begin with the Super Bowl champions Baltimore Ravens at Denver taking on the Broncos on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 8:30 pm.
