Former Coach Excited To See 3 Baltimoreans Hit The Field In Ravens-Panthers Preseason Game
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The Ravens play the Carolina Panthers in another preseason game, and fans are getting pumped up, tailgating outside M&T Bank Stadium.
Linh Bui reports Thursday night's game is extra special for one fan.
Anthony Knox coached three of the players taking the field when they were students at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.
Justin Wells and Ricardo Silva now play for the Panthers. Laquan Williams plays for the Ravens.
"I'm rooting for all of them. My thing is, I'm seeing them on the field. And that they're playing, that they get off the field without getting hurt, and that they just have a good game," Knox said.
Ravens fans are ready for another preseason win. The team has momentum going into Thursday night's game after wins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons.
Williams scored a touchdown against the Bucs.
Knox says the guys have worked hard for their success.
"Very proud of them. Very proud of them. And they know how proud I am," he said.
A new study from Emory University ranks fan loyalty in the NFL, and the Baltimore Ravens came in eighth place.
Fans are showing their loyalty by tailgating all afternoon.
"I just think it's going to be lots of fun," one man said. "We're there to root for the team and have fun."
It's a fan base that's growing.
"Us being Super Bowl Champions last year has brought out a lot of new fans," said Sara Walters, Wild Bill's Apparel.
There's "more of an excitement about this year. And hoping we can make the Super Bowl again." she said.
By the way, according to that study, the Dallas Cowboys have the most loyal fans. But the crowd in Baltimore obviously disagrees.
The Ravens last preseason game is Aug. 29 against the Rams.
