Ike, Goose and Isabel
Hurricane Ike means Monday Night Football for the Ravens and Texans in Houston. The postponement got me thinking about some other schedule altering events in Ravens history.
The Ravens next scheduled game after winning Super Bowl XXXV was never played. The pre-season opener in Philadelphia was cancelled when the ugly carpet at the Vet was deemed unplayable.
Goose was the Ravens player-rep and the big guy didn't want any part of playing a meaningless exhibition game. No football, but the good news... the radio broadcasters got paid!
The next month the defending Super Bowl champs were scheduled to play the first Monday Night game in Ravens history. Baltimore would have to wait for the Ravens and Vikings on Prime Time, that game and all the others that week-end were postponed as our nation mourned the events of 9-11.
I'll never forget the Ravens first game after the attacks. Just before kick-off in Cincinnati servicemen unfurled a gigantic USA flag that nearly covered the entire playing field. As our national anthem played, the words "land of the free and home of the brave" never meant more.
Pete Rozelle, the NFL's greatest commissioner, said his biggest regret was playing football the week-end after President Kennedy was assassinated, the NFL didn't repeat that mistake after 9-11.
The Monday night game with the Vikings was made up on the final week of the regular season. The Ravens won 19-3. Six days later the Ravens won in Miami it would be their last playoff win.
In 2003 the Ravens had hurricane trouble. Isabel didn't mess with their game in
San Diego but it sure changed the work week. As the hurricane moved toward the Mid-Atlantic, where it caused more than 50 deaths, the Ravens headed west on TUESDAY.
It was a massive undertaking, three nights at a resort-hotel then a switch to the teams original hotel, practice fields, meeting rooms, meals all set-up on short notice. The Ravens beat the Chargers that Sunday 24-10. Ravens VP Bob Eller who takes care of all travel arrangements got the game ball and he deserved it.
Later I'll preview Monday's game. 3 and out! Best, Scott
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