Camden Yards

Camden Yards

Camden Yards

Ravens History And Tickets

They're not a team that's been around for ages and yet the Ravens have made some history that some other football teams have never seen and that's an understatement on many fronts. There was a lot of controversy surrounding the announcement by Art Modell who was the owner of the Cleveland Browns to move them to Baltimore. The year was 1995 and in less than a year from the announcement that the team would be relocating, there was a settlement reached. The terms included keeping Cleveland's name and associated colors and history in the city. The resulting expansion took Modell's existing team to Baltimore and the Ravens were born.

There was not a great deal on the wires about the Ravens in their first season but the team did finish 6-9-1 and Peter Boulware was named AFC Defensive Rookie of the year for 11.5 sacks. In 1998, the team started moving into Ravens Stadium and also a time when many team changes were made. Eric Zeier, Jim Harbaugh and Rod Woodson joined the Ravens. Priest Holmes ran 1,000 yards and the team finished with a 6-10 record. For the 1999 season, the Ravens had an improved season but a late loss left them with an 8-8 record and out of playoff consideration.

The next year, 2000, was a stellar one for the Ravens. In addition to holding opposing teams to 165 total points, the Ravens beat the Chicago Bears' 1986 record of 187 points in a 16 game season; both NFL records that were of notable mention for the Ravens. Traveling to Tampa to play against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, it was a display of pure sportsmanship as the Ravens recorded four sacks along with five turnovers. The Ravens became just the third wild card team to win the Super Bowl.

Located at 1101 Russell Street in Baltimore, Maryland, M&T Bank Stadium also has a history to go along with the Ravens themselves. At a cost of $220 million dollars, owned by Maryland Stadium Authority and operated by the Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium has a spacious capacity for 71,008 patrons at once. Designed by the architect Populus and structural engineer Bliss and Nyitray, Inc. this stadium has been home for all of the Ravens games since 1998. It has not always been known as M&T Bank Stadium however and it has not always been the location where the Ravens have played. In 1998, the stadium was known as Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards. This name held until 1999, when then name was changed to PSINet Stadium. In 2002, another name change came, which was just Ravens Stadium.

In 2003, the name was changed to its current one and has held since. Before 1998, the Ravens called Memorial Stadium home but the stadium was old and deemed unsuitable for a franchise on the NFL level. Ground was broken for a new stadium in 1996 and two years later, the Ravens moved to their new home. Originally the stadium was fitted with natural grass but it was decided to install Sportexe Momentum Turn for the 2003 season.

Other tenants and events that have been held at M&T Bank Stadium home include the Baltimore Bayhawks, Crab Bowl Classic, Day of Rivals and Face-Off Classic. M&T Bank acquired the stadium's naming rights in 2003 after a competition against several competitors. Although it was hoped that the stadium would be named after Johnny Unitas, a Baltimore Colts quarterback who died in 2002, M&T Bank retained the rights and named the front plaza after Unitas instead. A record setting crowd of 71,438 packed the stadium on December 7, 2008 in a game against the Washington Redskins.

About the Author

If youre looking for
Ravens Tickets
, with just the click of a mouse, Ticket America can give you the best seats in the house. There are
M&T Bank Stadium Events
from sports to concerts and more and Ticket America can take you there!