Super Bowl XLVII: A Well Deserved Victory

“Nobody gave us a shot…nobody.” – Ray Lewis

“…Baltimore has no answer for Manning-led Broncos.” Ashley Fox, ESPN Analyst

Winning never felt so good.

After the Ravens dropped four of their last five games at the end of the regular season, hardly anyone believed this team that had endured detrimental injures and suffered several personal tragedies would have a shot at making it past the first round of the playoffs.

However, time and time again the Ravens proved that they could overcome the odds and the definitive statistics that were against them until they finally won the Superbowl.

Simply put, the Ravens are a statistical anomaly.

Besides their defense being completely decimated during the regular season, and the fact that the offensive line left something to be desired, the Ravens never gave up.  They were determined to bring their story to fruition even when everyone thought it was just another long-winded pipe dream.

However, that dream finally became a reality.

It became real when Ray Lewis, the mastermind of the defense and the unwavering leader of the Ravens, came back just in time for the playoffs.

It became real when Joe Flacco played in the toughest places in the NFL and came out flawlessly victorious.

It became real when Ray Lewis and company made a goal line stand to clutch a world championship that no one believed this team would ever attain.

It became real when the confetti dropped and all was said and done.

This will forever be the legacy of the Baltimore Ravens. It will not only define who they are as players and competitors, but who are they are as determined human beings.

No longer will intangibles be judged as arbitrary or nonsensical as motivating factors for what a team is capable of achieving.  The Ravens have proven that through all the adversity and despite all the doubt that was placed upon them from the beginning of the post season that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Finally, the Ravens have proven one very important thing: they will never be taken for granted ever again.  They have made it clear that no matter what the outside world says about them or what controversies may come forth from the media that attempt to defame that they will persevere no matter what it takes.

As Ray Lewis said after the Ravens defeated the Broncos in double overtime: “But you still have to play the game…you still have to play the game.”

The Ravens not only played them game, they won it when it mattered most.  The era of the Ravens being doubted and underestimated is at an end.  The dynasty of the Ravens being a respected and effective team has only just begun.

Haters beware.