Before yesterday, the last-time I had been to a Ravens game was the last game of the 2004 season against Miami. Yesterday brought my all-time Ravens game attendance to five.
I think it is safe to say that I prefer watching from the comforts of my living room, vs.spending the day at M&T Bank Stadium. I wonder if I am in the minority here?
Even with a relatively dull-game, the crowd was in good form yesterday. It is always enjoyable being part of that type of atmosphere. I think the Ravens do a great job as an organization of making their fans as comfortable as possible. There are seats that are better than others, but there are no horrible seats in that stadium.
My preference to watch at-home has little to do with anything the Ravens do or do not provide on Game-day. If you want to say I am ‘selfish’, for not supporting the team with attendance; there is some validity to that point-of-view. I do appreciate that our fans (and their dollars) combined with the agreement to build M&T Bank Stadium, are the reasons the organization moved here from Cleveland in the first-place.
If the Ravens actually had problems attracting crowds, I might be more prone to want to go to games. Simply because I respect how important the Ravens are to this City, and I would want to my part to keep them here.
Since the Ravens have zero-problems with selling-out the stadium, I selfishly get to enjoy the games being aired on T.V. for free. I get to replay plays as many times I would like. The trip to the fridge is not a 20 minute adventure. When I am on my couch, I do not have people getting up and walking past me repeatedly. I can keep my lap-top open and watch my fantasy team again perform to middling results.
On the other-hand, I usually spend an inordinate amount of time watching the typically poor studio shows on ESPN, CBS, FOX, and NBC; and that is probably a good argument for going to the game itself. (Or just spending more time watching the consistently good NFL Network) While I am half-kidding about disliking the network studio-shows, I do appreciate the game-telecasts. It is usually interesting to hear what the Ravens Coaching Staff, and the players are saying to the National reporters. It is also interesting to hear the perspective of those National reporters.
I can accept being called ‘selfish’ for rather watching from home, but I would not be able to agree with anyone who thinks I am not a passionate fan. The only time I can remember missing a game was in 2003 when Jamal Lewis went for 295 yards against Cleveland. That game was missed as I was traveling to the United Kingdom, so I think the excuse is legitimate enough.
I had fun yesterday taking my Wife Laura to her first-game ever. I will have fun in two-weeks when I go to the game with my Dad. I think after that though, it will be another several years before I again return.
So, does anyone else have similar thoughts? If you would always rather be at the stadium, how come?
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.