Ravens Logo Stenciled In At Patriot Plaza In Towson As Excitement Builds Ahead Of Playoff Game Against Buffalo Bills
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Ravens fever is alive and well in Towson just days before the Ravens are set to take on the Buffalo Bills.
Patriot Plaza had the Ravens logo stenciled into the grass Thursday.
"When you drive around now, you see purple lights everywhere, everyone's got their flags... and (we) just wanted to bring some more Ravens pride out to the county this week," said Ilsa Marden, the team's director of events and entertainment.
County Executive Johnny Olszewski said he also feels the anticipation, adding county residents need it.
"There's a lot of energy and excitement at a time when we can all use it... and so this year to have our hometown team going to the playoffs, a big game last week, a big game against the Bills, we're very excited," he said.
Something else fans have to look forward to are new shirts designed by Fred Fillah, the mind behind the popular Festivus T-shirts two decades ago when the Ravens won their first super bowl.
The term comes from then-coach Brian Billick, who banned players from using the word "playoffs."
"He didn't want to hear that word and said, 'Why don't we use Festivus?'" Fillah recalled.
The shirts took off and are now collectors' items. The new design is all about the offense.
"What we did is we designed a shirt that kind of looks like a football in the front with a big "O" for offense... the offense is getting a lot of chatter," Fillah said.
Those shirts will be released Monday as long as the Ravens take home a win.
Fans said they're feeling confident that will happen.
"We won a bunch in a row, so here we go," Towson resident Ronn Pineo said.
"I think we're gonna come home, celebrate, we're going to light the city up with purple," fan Andre Richardson from Owings Mills said.
There will be a virtual rally with Ravens legends Jamal Lewis, Tony Siragusa, Rod Woodson and former head coach Brian Billick at 6 p.m. Thursday night.
They'll share stories of their favorite Ravens memories. You can watch it on the Raven's Facebook page.
