I see all these posts full of optimism about opening day and I can't help but think of the most memorable opening day in my life, September 5th, 2013. My Ravens had just won another Super Bowl, giving Ed Reed the ring he needed to solidify his legacy and Ray the perfect opportunity to ride off into the sunset. Morale was high for Ravens fans all of the following summer. Sure Kruger and Ellerbe left in free agency but, like most defensive players who leave the Ravens, they would certainly suck on their new teams. Yes, Ed and Ray were gone too but they were so old they hadn't actually produced much on the field compared to some of our other players. And fine, Boldin wasn't on the team anymore but at least we traded him for...a sixth round pick?! Uh oh.
Wearing my black Torrey Smith jersey and armed with a six pack of beer, I was beyond excited for the first game of the season. And we got destroyed. Utterly. Peyton threw six touchdowns. In the second quarter Jacoby Jones, our hero of the playoffs, was injured while calling for a fair catch on the punt. Some Ravens special teamer ran into him. It was one of those moments that perfectly illustrated the emotions I was experiencing at that time.
So opening day isn't about optimism or dread for me. It's about the simple joy of cracking open a beer and enjoying the sport I have been craving for several long months. And, whether that means a championship or a complete disaster, well that's just the way she goes.
Wearing my black Torrey Smith jersey and armed with a six pack of beer, I was beyond excited for the first game of the season. And we got destroyed. Utterly. Peyton threw six touchdowns. In the second quarter Jacoby Jones, our hero of the playoffs, was injured while calling for a fair catch on the punt. Some Ravens special teamer ran into him. It was one of those moments that perfectly illustrated the emotions I was experiencing at that time.
So opening day isn't about optimism or dread for me. It's about the simple joy of cracking open a beer and enjoying the sport I have been craving for several long months. And, whether that means a championship or a complete disaster, well that's just the way she goes.