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Ultimate Displaced Fan

To me, the Baltimore Ravens are life! Three years ago, I had to make a tough decision; do I move to North Carolina for a job opportunity or stay in Maryland unemployed?

Leaving behind friends, family and memories of the previous 24 years of my life didn't even cross my mind, the only thing I could think about is how much I was going to miss the Ravens!

Technically, one would consider me a displaced fan. I live five hours away from my franchises stadium. I hate the feeling of being displaced and wanted to do whatever I could and make the Ravens my number one priority.

I'd like to substitute the word displaced and say that I'm a really passionate fan that just happens to have to travel a lot further than anyone else to get to games.

I still own season tickets to the Ravens and routinely make the five-hour drive from Raleigh to Baltimore at least four times per year. I also attend numerous away games because I feel as if I do make a difference in the stands. I cannot fathom watching a playoff game at home so I make it a point to travel as much as possible to root my team to victory on the road. My thought process is that if airplanes can fly to the certain city the Ravens are playing in, there shouldn’t be an excuse why you can’t try to attend the game.

Living out of the Ravens market the past three years has only made my obsession grow towards the Ravens. I cannot think of a single person who has been to more games than me nor can I think of anyone who goes to the extremes that I do for this team.

I believe that being a fan comes with certain criteria. Sitting on the couch and watching the game from the confines of a recliner is not for me. I believe a fan should do whatever necessary to be with other fans and also spread the good feelings that one should have being a Ravens fan to others.

To adhere to my duties as a fan, I have begun giving all of my free time to blog for a Baltimore based Ravens blog. I blog under the name of Goob and not only write about the Ravens but make some pretty great YouTube videos as well. These videos share the excitement I have for this team to those who couldn't attend the game and let others know how much fun we had without them. People often ask me how I can come up with the material I do or where do I get the guts to make these videos and I simply tell them that I couldn't think of doing anything different than this. It seems natural to share in the excitement you have for something you believe in, and that is what I do for the Ravens.

To better the exposure of this wonderful franchise, I decided to find other transplant Ravens fans like myself and try to make a transition to the South easier on Ravens fans. I am currently the VP of the North Carolina Ravens Fan Club, which currently has 116 members. We meet on a weekly occasion (I'm not always there because I'm at the games) and share the joy that comes with being a Ravens fan. As a current member of a Ravens Roost back in Baltimore, I try to instill the values these other fan clubs have and make it as if these fans never left Baltimore.

DirecTV has been instrumental for the growth and exposure of fan bases across the country. Having Sunday Ticket at the bar we watch the games at is instrumental for our growth as a franchise. To simply rely on cable to broadcast the game is not an option. None of our fan clubs could be made possible without DirecTV Sunday Ticket.

Please take 4:30 of your life and watch my video. I doubt you'll ever see the passion and excitement someone has for a football team quite like I have. This franchise is more than just 53 men who play a game on Sunday. This is a way of life for me and I cannot think of anyone who deserves the title of "Ultimate Displaced Fan"? more than myself.