Local Fans Get Pumped For Ravens AFC Championship Game

After last week’s dramatic victory in Denver, Ravens fans have been getting themselves ready for an AFC Championship game rematch with the New England Patriots in Massachusetts. WYPR’s Bret Jaspers and Mary Rose Madden went out earlier today to check in with them.

Bret Jaspers:  Andy Nelson’s BBQ on York Road is busy at noon Friday-- cars curl around the lot, patrons wait outside in the cold. Last weekend, the Ravens-Broncos game gave the restaurant a big boost in business.

Andy Nelson, Jr.:  "It was out of sight. Usually we sell 200 wings on a Saturday. We sold over 700. And this weekend we’re cooking over 1200 wings.”

Jaspers:  That’s Andy Nelson Jr. His father, Andy Sr, played defensive back for the Baltimore Colts from 1957 to 1963. Andy Jr says that the NFL connection is a draw for patrons of all ages.

Nelson Jr.:  "There’s all kind of people come in here to say hello to him that remember him that remember those days."

Jaspers:  Andy Sr., who played with Johnny Unitas, Art Donovan  Gino Marcetti  and Lenny Moore, is 79. And he still works behind the counter.

Nelson Jr.:  “Just play it like you did last Sunday. They on a mission.  Denver was one of the best football games I’ve seen since the 1958 Championship game, and I played in that one."

Jaspers:  I’m Bret Jaspers in Cockeysville.

Mary Rose Madden:  And I’m Mary Rose Madden reporting in Baltimore where there’s seems to be a cool, calm kind of confidence among folks in the business district of Greenmount Ave.

The cooks at Pete’s Grille on Greenmount at 32nd are pouring pancakes, flipping eggs, and frying scrapple – just business as usual. But the clientele is buzzing – there’s a spirit in the air, they explain.    Take Terryl Williams.  He’s sitting at the counter wearing his Ravens number 5 jersey.  Joe Flacco is almost there, he says.  Maybe not five star, but darn close and looking good.

Terryl Williams:  “…four and half.   We got a little more work to do but he had the best game –the best game I seen him play last week.   Working out of the pocket, throwing those balls.  It was awesome.

Madden:  He says this team can beat The Patriots and it’s going to happen. 

"Well, do you love the fact that they’re playing The Patriots because last year – Yes, I do."  

Williams bites a piece of crisp bacon, sips his coffee and looks a bit offended.

Williams:  “We’re not talking about last year.    We’re not talking about last year.  Last year is gone. We’re talking about this year, we’re talking about now.  We’re going all the way.   It’s okay?  You sure? We don’t say stuff like that.”

Madden:  And across the street, funk music is booming from Holy Land 3, James Harrison’s shop.    It’s more of a sidewalk sale here with body oils, incense, men’s clothes, and loads of Ravens gear.  He says he does sell a little more around this time of year.

James Harrison:  “Right about now, everybody jumping on the bandwagon.   A lot of time in Baltimore, people like every other team but the home team.   Really?  Yeah.  A lot of Steeler fans, Patriot fans, Redskins – Patriot fans? Yeah, nobody like the home team.   I don’t know why.  Do people come up and ask you for Patriots stuff?  Yeah, I tell em to go up to Boston.”

Harrison says he likes Ed Reed, Torrey Smith, Ray Lewis – and he also likes Joe Flacco.

Harrison:  "He good.  He good. Only thing Flacco gotta do is not worry about what everybody is saying – he stepped up like a champ. He threw with all his might."

Madden:  The shop owner – wearing a purple sweater and a Ravens hat over his dreadlocks  - describes the way he likes to enjoy his favorite football team.

Harrison:  “I’m gonna make me some crab cakes – some shrimps.  Sit out back, I got a portable fire pit.  You got a T.V. outside?  I got a portable T.V. on batteries – I like to sit out there like I’m at the game, but I’m at home.”

Madden:  For all the Ravens fans who can’t make it to Boston this weekend, that probably sounds like a good way to enjoy an AFC win.