Baltimore Ravens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baltimore Ravens
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	February 9, 1996; 29 years ago (1996-02-09)
Colors	Purple, black, metallic gold
Fight song	"The Baltimore Fight Song"
Mascot	Poe (costumed mascot) Rise and Conquer (live ravens)
Personnel
Owner(s)	Steve Bisciotti
President	Sashi Brown
General manager	Eric DeCosta
Head coach	John Harbaugh
Team history
Baltimore Ravens (1996–present)
Home fields
Memorial Stadium (1996–1997) M&T Bank Stadium (1998–present)
League / conference affiliations
National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996–present) AFC Central (1996–2001) AFC North (2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 2 Super Bowl championships: 2 2000 (XXXV), 2012 (XLVII)
Conference championships: 2 AFC: 2000, 2012
Division championships: 7 AFC North: 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2023
Playoff appearances (15)
NFL: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Owner(s)
Art Modell (1996–2004) Steve Bisciotti (2004–present)

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They play in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium and has its main office in Owings Mills, Maryland.

The Ravens started in 1996. The team's first owner, Art Modell, moved his team from Cleveland to Baltimore. As part of a deal, the team's old history, colors, and records stayed in Cleveland for a new team. Modell was allowed to bring his players and staff to Baltimore. This new team became the Ravens. Steve Bisciotti now owns the team.

Since they started, the Ravens have been very successful. They have won many games and have a great record. They have made the NFL playoffs 15 times since 2000. The team has won two Super Bowl titles: Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 and Super Bowl XLVII in 2012. They have also won two AFC Championship titles and seven AFC North division titles. The Ravens are known for their strong defense. Famous players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Jonathan Ogden are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Team History

How the Ravens Got Their Name

The name "Ravens" comes from Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, The Raven. Fans voted for the name in a contest. Poe lived in Baltimore for a time and is buried there. People liked the name because it connected to Poe and also to the city's other bird team, the Baltimore Orioles. It also sounded like a tough, black bird.

Before the football team, there was a wheelchair basketball team called the Baltimore Ravens. They were founded in 1972. When the football team came to Baltimore, they bought the naming rights. The wheelchair basketball team then changed its name to the Maryland Ravens.

Bringing Football Back to Baltimore

After the Baltimore Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984, Baltimore wanted another NFL team. The city tried many times to get a new team. In 1995, Art Modell, who owned the Cleveland Browns, decided to move his team to Baltimore.

Cleveland and the NFL made a deal. The Browns' name, colors, and history would stay in Cleveland for a new team there. Modell's team in Baltimore would be seen as a brand new team. This allowed Baltimore to finally have an NFL team again.

Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore. He owned the Ravens until 2003.

After the move, Modell hired Ted Marchibroda as the first head coach. Ozzie Newsome, a former Browns player, became the director of football operations. He later became the general manager.

For their first two seasons (1996 and 1997), the Ravens played at Memorial Stadium. This stadium was once home to the Baltimore Colts. In 1998, the Ravens moved to their new stadium, now called M&T Bank Stadium.

The Early Years (1996–1998)

In the 1996 NFL draft, the Ravens picked two future Hall of Famers: Jonathan Ogden (an offensive tackle) and Ray Lewis (a linebacker). Both played their entire careers for the Ravens.

Jonathan Ogden played offensive tackle for the Ravens from 1996 to 2007. He is in the Hall of Fame.

The 1996 Ravens won their first game but finished the season with 4 wins and 12 losses. In 1997, they played their first game against their new rivals, the Washington Redskins, and won. They also played the last professional game at Memorial Stadium. In 1998, the new stadium opened. The team finished with 6 wins and 10 losses.

The Brian Billick Era (1999–2007)

After three losing seasons, Brian Billick became the head coach in 1999. The team improved, finishing 8 wins and 8 losses.

In 2000, NFL owners approved the sale of part of the Ravens to Steve Bisciotti. He later bought the rest of the team in 2004.

Super Bowl XXXV Champions (2000)

The 2000 Ravens had an amazing defense. Ray Lewis was named Defensive Player of the Year. The defense set an NFL record by allowing only 165 points all season. This is still a record today.

The Ravens finished the regular season with 12 wins and 4 losses. They made the playoffs for the first time. They beat the Denver Broncos and then the Tennessee Titans. In the AFC Championship, they easily beat the Oakland Raiders 16–3.

The Ravens met President George W. Bush in 2001. From left: Rod Woodson, President Bush, and Coach Brian Billick.

Baltimore then played the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. The Ravens' defense was incredible. They forced five turnovers and scored a touchdown. The Ravens won the Super Bowl 34–7, becoming champions!

After the Super Bowl (2001–2007)

In 2001, the Ravens tried to win another Super Bowl but struggled with injuries. They made the playoffs but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2002, the team picked Ed Reed, who became one of the best safeties ever.

Coach Gary Zauner (front) and Brian Billick with the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.

In 2003, running back Jamal Lewis ran for an amazing 2,066 yards. He even set a record with 295 yards in one game! The Ravens won their first AFC North title but lost in the playoffs. Ray Lewis won Defensive Player of the Year again.

Derrick Mason was a top receiver for the Ravens from 2005 to 2010.

The Ravens missed the playoffs in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, they had their best regular season record ever, with 13 wins and 3 losses. They won the AFC North. However, they lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. In 2007, the team had a tough season, finishing with 5 wins and 11 losses. Coach Billick was replaced by John Harbaugh.

The John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco Era (2008–2018)

Willis McGahee played running back for the Ravens for four seasons.

With a new coach, John Harbaugh, and a new rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco, the Ravens had a great 2008 season. They won 11 games and made the playoffs. They beat the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans but lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

Joe Flacco (right) and Kyle Boller during a 2008 training camp.

From 2009 to 2011, the Ravens continued to be a strong team. They made the playoffs each year. In 2011, they won the AFC North title. They played a very close AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots but lost.

Ray Lewis during a 2008 game.

Terrell Suggs practicing in 2011.

Jarret Johnson played for the Ravens from 2003 to 2011.

Second Super Bowl Victory (2012)

The 2012 season was special because it was Ray Lewis's last year playing football. The Ravens won the AFC North with 10 wins and 6 losses. They beat the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. Then, they had an amazing double-overtime win against the Denver Broncos.

Jacoby Jones scores a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII.

They went on to beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. This sent them to Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens built a big lead, but then the power went out in the stadium! After the lights came back on, the 49ers started to catch up. But the Ravens held on to win 34–31. Joe Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP.

The Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl XLVII.

Later Years of the Flacco Era (2013–2018)

In 2013, the Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. In 2014, they made the playoffs again. They beat the Steelers but lost a close game to the New England Patriots.

The 2015 season was tough due to many injuries to key players like Joe Flacco and Terrell Suggs. They finished with a losing record. In 2016 and 2017, they also missed the playoffs.

The Lamar Jackson Era (2018–present)

Jackson playing in 2018.

The Ravens drafted quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2018. He became the starting quarterback later that season. The team won six of their last seven games, finishing 10 wins and 6 losses. They won the AFC North title! They lost in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Chargers. After this season, Ozzie Newsome retired as general manager, and Eric DeCosta took over.

In 2019, the Ravens traded Joe Flacco. Lamar Jackson led the team to a franchise-best 14 wins and 2 losses. They had a 12-game winning streak! Jackson also broke the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP). However, the Ravens were upset by the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs.

In 2020, the Ravens finished with 11 wins and 5 losses. They won a playoff game against the Titans but then lost to the Buffalo Bills. In 2021, the team set a record for consecutive preseason wins. They also saw Justin Tucker kick the longest field goal in NFL history (66 yards!). But they ended the season with a losing streak and missed the playoffs. In 2022, they made the playoffs but lost to the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 2023, the Ravens had a great season with 13 wins and 4 losses. They won the AFC North and were the top team in the AFC playoffs. They beat the Houston Texans but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

Before the 2024 season, the Ravens added star running back Derrick Henry.

Team Rivalries

Divisional Rivals

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being tackled by Ravens players.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the Ravens' biggest rival. Their stadiums are less than a 5-hour drive apart. Both teams play a very physical style of football. They play twice a year in the AFC North. They have also met four times in the playoffs. Their games are usually very close and exciting!

Cincinnati Bengals

B. J. Sams (36) and Musa Smith (32) playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006.

The rivalry with the Cincinnati Bengals started when the Browns moved to Baltimore. It became more intense when former Ravens coach Marvin Lewis became the Bengals' head coach. The Ravens have won more games in this rivalry.

Cleveland Browns

The rivalry with the Cleveland Browns began when the Browns team started again in Cleveland in 1999. Many Browns fans were upset that their old team moved to Baltimore. The Ravens have won most of the games against the Browns.

Other Rivals

New England Patriots

The rivalry with the New England Patriots became strong in 2007. Games between these two teams have been very intense, especially in the playoffs. They have played four times in the playoffs, with each team winning twice.

Tennessee Titans

The rivalry between the Ravens and Tennessee Titans has grown stronger recently. They used to play in the same division. Games between them are often very heated. The Ravens have won more games in this series.

Local Rivalry

Beltway Bowl: Washington Commanders

The Ravens have a small rivalry with the Washington Commanders. Their stadiums are about 40 miles apart. The Commanders used to try to stop Baltimore from getting an NFL team. The two teams play each other every year in the preseason. The Ravens have won more games in their regular season matchups.

Team Uniforms

The Ravens' uniforms have mostly stayed the same since 1996. Their helmets are black with purple stripes. Players usually wear purple jerseys at home and white jerseys on the road.

Baltimore's text logo.

In 1997, they started wearing white pants with purple and black stripes. They wore their all-white uniform (white jersey and white pants) when they won Super Bowl XXXV.

Since 2004, the team has also worn an all-black alternate uniform. They sometimes wear black jerseys with white pants too. In 2015, they tried gold pants, but fans did not like them much.

For special "Color Rush" games, the Ravens wear all-purple uniforms. Starting in 2024, they also have alternate purple helmets with a new Ravens logo for these uniforms.

Marching Band

The team's marching band is called Baltimore's Marching Ravens. They started as the Colts' band in 1947. They stayed in Baltimore even after the Colts moved. Because of this, they are known as "the band that would not die." The Washington Commanders are the only other NFL team with a marching band.

Famous Players

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Safety Ed Reed, a Hall of Famer (2002–2012).

Here are some players who played for the Ravens and are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Retired Numbers

The Ravens do not officially retire numbers. However, they do not give out certain numbers to honor great players. For example, number 19 is not used to honor Johnny Unitas of the old Baltimore Colts. Numbers 75 (Jonathan Ogden), 52 (Ray Lewis), 20 (Ed Reed), 55 (Terrell Suggs), and 73 (Marshal Yanda) are also not used.

Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor member Matt Stover.

The Ravens have a "Ring of Honor" at M&T Bank Stadium. It celebrates important people and players from the team's history. It includes some former Baltimore Colts players too.

Team Staff

Head Coaches

• Ted Marchibroda (1996–1998)
• Brian Billick (1999–2007)
• John Harbaugh (2008–present)

Images for kids

• 

  Baltimore Ravens wordmark

• 

  Baltimore Ravens logo

• 

  Baltimore Ravens uniforms

See also

In Spanish: Baltimore Ravens para niños